China-Russia relations are at their all-time best and at the most important historical stage, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a recent interview with Russian media before his official visit to Russia next week.

 

Wen had an interview with Itar-Tass News Agency and Interfax News Agency in Beijing.

 

During the interview, Wen said China-Russia relations have seen substantial important changes since the two countries established a strategic cooperative partnership 10 years ago. The two countries have enhanced political mutual trust, greatly expanded trade and economic cooperation, and enriched the content of the strategic cooperative partnership by holding such cultural events as "Year of Russia" and "Year of China."

 

Wen said the next decade would be an important historical period for both the evolution of the international situation and the development of China-Russia relations. "Therefore, my coming visit to Russia has special significance," Wen said.

 

During the visit, Wen will exchange views with Russian leaders on bilateral relations and major international issues, and the two sides will sign a series of important cooperative agreements.

 

"I believe the coming visit will further push forward the development of China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership," Wen told resident Russian reporters in Beijing.

 

Wen said the two countries would continue to strengthen cooperation in all fields, including trade, economy, science, technology, education, and culture.

 

China, Russia to maintain mutual support on major issues

 

China and Russia will continue to support each other on major issues of each other's concern and in each other's core interests, said Premier Wen Jiabao.

 

Wen said China supports Russia in its efforts to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity. China also supports Russia in its pursuit of a development route that suits its own national conditions and opposes outside interference.

 

Wen stated the two countries should further enhance political mutual trust through exchanges between their leaders and cooperation at various levels and in various fields.

 

He said China and Russia should have even closer cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The two countries should strengthen coordination within the SCO and push it toward becoming a substantially important mechanism for regional peace, stability, security, and development.

 

On strengthening the role of SCO, Wen said expanding regional economic cooperation and joining efforts for self-reliant growth is an effective solution for SCO member countries in their mission for development and eradicating terrorism, separatism, and extremism. It is an effective way for the people of SCO member countries to enjoy common peace and security, Wen said.

 

Wen said China and Russia should step up cooperation in the United Nations and other major international organizations. Noting that China and Russia share common or similar views on almost all major international issues, Wen said the two countries should work together to promote global peace, development, and democratization of international relations.

 

China to boost investment in Russia

 

China is determined to encourage domestic companies to expand business and invest in Russia, said Premier Wen Jiabao, stressing the importance of trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia.

 

China has set a target to boost investment in Russia to a total of US$12 billion by 2020. Wen said Chinese companies have already invested in a wide range of fields in Russia, including mining, energy, electricity, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, fishery, and forestry.

 

Wen believes the two countries should strengthen cooperation not only in the energy sector, but also in the field of machinery and electronics. He said this requires a bigger role for the China-Russia Machinery and Electronics Product Council, which is to be officially unveiled in November. Wen said the council should be turned into a platform for bilateral cooperation in the field of machinery and electronics.

 

The two countries should also attach importance to cooperation on science, technology, and environmental protection, Wen explained. He called for the two countries to continuously open up new areas of cooperation.

 

Wen said investment by Chinese companies would help push forward trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Trade volume between China and Russia will probably exceed US$40 billion this year. The figure is expected to reach US$80 billion by 2020.

 

"In respect to trade, (we) should not only increase the volume, but also improve trade structure and quality," Wen said.

 

Wen expressed the belief that according to an investment protection agreement signed between the two countries the Russian side will protect the lawful rights of Chinese companies and facilitate their investment. "We also welcome Russian companies' investment in China," Wen added.

 

Premier calls for accelerated Russian pipeline construction

 

Premier Wen Jiabao said that relevant companies of the two countries should spare no time in implementing the projects of laying oil and natural gas pipelines extending from Russia to China. He said these projects have been determined by both China and Russia on a mutually beneficial and win-win basis.

 

Wen stressed that stepping up energy cooperation is an important consensus that has already been reached between China and Russia, adding that cooperation in this field has made good progress in recent years.

 

Relevant government departments of the two countries have conducted effective communication and coordination. Energy companies of the two countries are discussing and implementing a series of major cooperative projects in such aspects as oil, natural gas, electricity, and energy equipment manufacturing. China-Russia energy cooperation is seeing an ever-expanding scope and increasingly varied forms, Wen said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 2, 2007)