Both President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
vowed to continue to adhere to the principles and polices of
bilateral good-neighbourly co-operation, irrespective of the
changes in the international arena.
A
nearly two-hour tete-a-tete meeting was held Tuesday afternoon in
the Green Sitting Room of the Grand Kremlin Palace.
The Russian leader expressed the conviction that "the visit by the
Chinese President to Russia is a bright page in our relations and
gives an impetus to the development of bilateral relations.''
Putin said that "relations between Russia and China are at such a
high level, at which they have not been evidently before.''
Expressing satisfaction with the sound development of Sino-Russian
ties over the past ten years, Hu said the Chinese side is willing
to come together with the Russian side to consolidate past advances
and usher in the future, to enter a new era of bilateral
good-neighbourly co-operation that benefits both countries and
peoples.
Hu
said that in choosing Russia as the first country he visited
following his election as president demonstrated how much
importance China attaches to the ties with Russia.
Hu
said that the strategic co-operative partnership between the two is
not only in the basic interests of two countries, the common wish
of its peoples, but is also in step with trends of the times.
On
Sino-Russian economic and trade co-operation, Hu said both sides
have recognized the great potential for economic and trade
co-operation, Hu said, adding that bilateral trade has witnessed
rapid growth and achieved remarkable results due to joint
efforts.
Although Tuesday did not see the signing of a strongly anticipated
agreement on the construction of a 2,400-kilometre pipeline from
the east Siberian city of Angarsk to China's petroleum centre of
Daqing, both state leaders expressed optimistic views on expanding
co-operation in field of energy.
Putin told reporters after the meeting that Russia is planning to
further the export volume of oil to China, saying that both sides
are still undergoing feasibility studies on establishing a
petroleum pipeline linking the two countries.
"All in all, Russia is willing to go for the Chinese market and to
promote the development of those joint projects,'' said Putin.
Beijing-based observers indicated that the two countries are
expected to sign a general agreement on the pipe-line construction
in the near future.
This will enable Russia to provide up to 30 million tons of oil
every year for a period of 25 to 30 years, said Li Jingjie,
director of the Institute of East European, Russia and Central
Asian Studies with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Aviation manufacturing is also widely regarded as a potential field
for further co-operation.
Russian space chief Yury Koptev said earlier this year that the two
countries intended co-operating ahead of the planned launch of the
first Chinese astronaut into space late this year.
Wednesday Hu plans to visit the Khrunichev Centre, which
manufactures Proton launch vehicles and space station modules.
The signing of the joint statement by the two state heads is
considered the most significant aspect of Hu's visit.
The statement is an endorsement to strengthen the existing
friendship between the two countries and working towards the
establishment of a multipolar world.
On
the international front, China and Russia reiterated calls for a
non-nuclear Korean Peninsula and for a central role to be played by
the United Nations in Iraq, according to the statement.
On
China's fight against SARS, Hu said during his talks with Putin the
Chinese Government, had always placed the priority on safeguarding
the lives and health of its people. In that regard it has taken
decisive and effective, measures to prevent and contain the
outbreak.
As
experience has shown, further spread of SARS can be prevented,
treated and controlled, Hu said, noting that the Chinese people are
determined and confident about winning the battle with the support
of the international community.
(China Daily May 28, 2003)