Premier Wen Jiabao said on Tuesday that China-Russia cooperation
was constantly deepening.
"China-Russia ties have developed at a sound momentum and
cooperation has constantly deepened," Wen told the visiting Russian
First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev.
As neighbors and important international players, China and
Russia should view their relations from a long-term and global
perspective.
Wen said activities to celebrate the Year of Russia in China
were progressing smoothly and would greatly promote exchanges and
cooperation in politics, legislatures, economy, science, technology
and among people.
"Hopefully the Year of China in Russia next year will also exert
a positive impact on bilateral ties," Wen said.
Medvedev said mutual trust and cooperation have reached
"unprecedented heights."
The Year of Russia in China had been successful, said Medvedev,
who also chaired the Russian side of the organizing committee for
the Year of Russia and the Year of China.
"Russia will do its utmost to ensure the Year of China in Russia
a success."
Vice Premier Wu Yi also met with Medvedev and said China is
willing to continue close cooperation with Russia and carry out the
activities of the on-going Year of Russia, so as to make it a
complete success.
The Year of Russia, which is being held in China, have staged
more than 130 activities.
"These activities, which promoted the mutual understanding and
friendship between the two peoples and pushed forward bilateral
concrete cooperation in various fields, have played an important
role in promoting bilateral relations," Wu said.
Wu said China will continue to work with Russia to complete the
remaining activities, including a round table meeting of members of
the two country's parliaments, the closing ceremony and the
China-Russia investment promotion week.
Medvedev said the Year of Russia activities have encouraged
bilateral exchanges and cooperation in such fields as culture and
education, as well as active communications between localities and
people of the two countries and create good conditions for the
development of the China-Russia relations
"The Year of Russia has achieved our goal and the Russian side
is very satisfied", he said. He also appreciated for China's great
support to this activity, vowing to make joint efforts with the
Chinese side to complete the remaining activities.
The two sides also exchanged views on the preparation for the
Year of China to be held in Russia in next year, pledging to
strengthen bilateral cooperation and coordination to make the
activity a success and inject new energy into the development of
China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation.
As for the water pollution case of Mangniu River, a Songhua
River tributary, in northeast China's Jilin Province, Wu briefed
the guest on the latest situation.
Illegal discharge of chemicals into the river by Changbaishan
Jingxi Chemical Co., Ltd at midnight on August 20 caused the water
pollution.
She said the Chinese government attaches high importance to the
case and relevant departments are taking measures to handle it.
According to the latest inspection, the Songhua River, which flows
through the two countries, is not polluted.
China understands Russia's concern, and will as always inform
the Russia of the latest situation in a cooperative, open and
responsible manner, Wu said, adding China will continue to take
measures to clean up the pollution.
Medvedev expressed appreciation of the Chinese government for
informing the Russian side and taking effective measures to control
the pollution. He said the Russian side is willing to strengthen
communication and cooperation with the Chinese side in this
regard.
(Xinhua News Agency August 30, 2006)
