Visiting President Hu Jintao met with Russian Prime Minister
Mikhail Fradkov Tuesday in Moscow on bilateral ties and cooperation
in various fields.
Hu, who arrived here Monday for a three-day state visit, asked
the two sides to take advantage of the regular exchange mechanism
between the two prime ministers and to further promote trade and
economic cooperation.
China will encourage its companies to invest in Russia,
especially in infrastructure construction, manufacturing, high-tech
industry, timber processing, energy and natural resources
exploration, Hu said during a meeting with Fradkov.
"China also welcomes investment by Russian companies in China,"
Hu added.
Hu called on the two sides to coordinate strategies on economic
and regional development in a bid to achieve a win-win
situation.
The two countries should support each other's companies to
strengthen cooperation, jointly explore new markets and improve
efficiency and quality, Hu said.
The Chinese president proposed the creation of a lay-out for
medium- and long-term science cooperation and the speeding up of
pilot projects in the fields of space, energy, new materials,
chemistry, bio-technology, telecommunications and information.
Hu also called on the two sides to continue social and cultural
exchanges and stimulate cooperation in education, healthcare,
sports and tourism.
The Russian prime minister appreciated China's efforts in
improving trade structure and increasing imports of machinery from
Russia.
He proposed that the two countries should further enhance
cooperation in trade, investment, energy, natural resources,
nuclear energy and transportation, as well as in regional, social
and cultural events.
Trade between Russia and China has maintained a rapid growth
rate for eight consecutive years, reaching US$33.4 billion in 2006.
It was expected to reach US$60 billion to 80 billion by 2010.
Hu and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held talks Monday.
The two countries signed a joint statement on ways to further
develop the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.
(Xinhua News Agency March 28, 2007)
