Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan met with his Russian counterpart Igor Sechin in St. Petersburg on Monday, exchanging views on Sino-Russian bilateral energy cooperation and reaching consensus on further development.?

Wang spoke highly of bilateral energy cooperation between the two countries, saying it has witnessed a development of all-round, wide-range and deep-level since the establishment of Sino-Russian energy negotiation mechanism.

He said the mechanism upgraded the level of bilateral practical cooperation with rich fruits, including the completion of Sino- Russian pipeline which is expected to be put into operation by the end of 2010, the foundation-laying of China-Russia Eastern Petrochemical (Tianjin) Oil Refinery and the completion of the negotiation on extension of Tianwan nuclear plant.

Cooperation in electricity and natural gas was also promoted, Was said, adding that coal export from Russia to China is expected to exceed 12 million tons in 2010.

Wang said Sino-Russian energy cooperation with significant strategic nature has been maintaining momentum, stressing that China is willing to jointly endeavor with Russia to promoted bilateral energy cooperation by the mechanism.

China, by the principle of market-oriented and mutual benefits, is ready to further strengthen Sino-Russian strategic partnership of coordination and boost bilateral cooperation in oil, natural gas, nuclear power, electricity, new energy and other fields, Wang said.

Sechin attached great importance of bilateral energy cooperation between the two countries, saying it plays an important role in the development of Sino-Russian strategic partnership of coordination.

He said both countries are effectively carrying out interlocal outlines issued before and being paid back rich fruits, including the completion of Sino-Russian oil pipeline which is seen as a landmark of Sino-Russian friendly cooperation.

Russia will work together with China to comprehensively boost bilateral cooperation in the fields of natural gas, nuclear power, coal, electricity, new energy and other fields, he said.

After the meeting, Wang and Sechin also attended signing ceremony of several energy cooperation documents.

At the invitation of Deputy Prime Ministers Alexander Zhukov and Igor Sechin, Wang arrived in St. Petersburg on Nov 21, kicking off his visit to Russia.