China and Russia yesterday signed four agreements on nuclear
energy collaboration, looking ahead to a post-hydrocarbon
world.
A joint communiqu signed by visiting Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Viktor
Zubkov said increased cooperation on nuclear energy is a priority
in economic ties.
According to the deals, the two countries will continue to work
on the second phase of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Jiangsu
and uranium enrichment factories, and take measures for peaceful
use of nuclear energy.
The two countries also signed deals in the finance, science and
technology, and trade sectors.
During the 12th regular meeting between the two prime ministers,
they agreed to complete the construction of a Sino-Russian oil
pipeline by the end of next year and speed up negotiations on a
long-term oil supply deal.
The two sides reiterated that the energy cooperation is a key
component of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership and said they
would push forward collaboration in the oil, gas and electricity
sectors.
Russian media quoted First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev
as saying that gas deliveries to China would begin "in the next few
years" once agreements on the pricing and delivery routes are
finalized.
Reviewing the decade-old Sino-Russian strategic partnership, Wen
said bilateral ties have reached an unprecedented level.
He said the two countries will jointly explore the potential in
various fields and improve the trade structure to raise the
proportion of machinery and high-tech products.
They will expand investment and enhance cooperation in border
areas as well as in the fields of space flight, civil aviation,
information industry and banking.
Describing the talks as frank, substantive and friendly, Zubkov
said the bilateral strategic cooperation has been significantly
strengthened in recent years through frequent high-level
exchanges.
Official figures show that two-way trade is expected to top
US$40 billion by the end of the year. Zubkov said he believes the
figure would jump to US$80 billion in three years, a goal set by
the top leaders of the two countries.
During his two-day official visit, Wen also attended the closing
ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia, an event aimed at
boosting trade and cultural interaction.
Wen and Zubkov also took part in the opening ceremony of a
Sino-Russian business forum yesterday before the premier flew back
to Beijing late last night.
(China Daily November 7, 2007)
