Igor Rogachev is considered a legend in the diplomatic world of
Russia and China.
The man who served as Russia's ambassador to China for 13 years
has just turned 75.
In fact, he has spent more than 20 years in China and speaks
Putonghua fluently, and he likes Peking Opera and Chinese folk
songs.
He is now a member of Russia's Federation Council, the upper
house of parliament, and devotes most of his time to Russia-China
relations.
The China-link runs in his family. His daughter is working in
China for a Russian oil company, and his grandson is learning
Chinese.
Learning Chinese and choosing a job that is associated with
China is a "family tradition," Rogachev said.
"Russian and Chinese leaders made a very wise decision to
organize the 'Year of Russia' and the 'Year of China'," he
said.
The "years" of Russia and China are in conformity to the spirit
of strategic partnership between the two countries and their future
cooperation, he said.
These events are the first of their kind and helpful to
exchanges between Russia and China, Rogachev said.
The "Year of Russia" in China in 2006 boosted bilateral ties in
various areas, particularly in economic and trade cooperation, he
said.
"Trade between Russia and China grew not only in the border
regions, but also in the central, southern and western parts of
China."
Russia didn't have extensive trade ties with China's Guangdong
Province and Shanghai. But its annual trade volume with Guangdong
today has reached US$3 billion, Rogachev said.
More than 60 Russian regional chiefs visited China last year,
leading to a host of cooperation agreements, he said.
It's quite possible that two-way trade will meet the $60-billion
target by 2010, after it touched a record high of US$33.4 billion
last year, Rogachev said.
Speaking on the prospects of developing economic and trade ties
between China and Russia, Rogachev said the high-tech sector has
great potential, though Russia is ready for cooperation in
transport, aerospace, and power sectors, too.
(China Daily March 26, 2007)
