China and Russia will take measures to implement cooperative projects in oil and natural gas, including the construction of pipelines between China and Russia, says a communiqué signed by Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov in Moscow on Friday.
 
In the communiqué, the two nations recognized each other's full market economy status. China also reiterated its strong support for Russia's bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Wen urged the two countries to finalize a long-term inter-government agreement for energy cooperation, and promised to invest US$12 billion in Russia by 2020 in infrastructure construction, energy resources, manufacturing and processing, and high-tech industries.

The Russian prime minister also called for a long-term plan of cooperation in oil and natural gas and said more efforts should also be made to develop nuclear energy cooperation.
 
During his meeting with Premier Wen on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin promised that Russia would not change its decision on developing energy cooperation with China.

The communiqué also says that the two sides will strengthen cooperation in building nuclear plants, space exploration, new materials, information and telecommunications.

During Wen's visit, the two countries signed seven agreements on education, economy and trade, finance and insurance, the communiqué says.

Premier Wen returned to China on Saturday after concluding his visit to Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing on Saturday hailed Premier Wen's tour as a complete success, saying the visit was fruitful in promoting mutual political understanding, bilateral trade and good-neighborly relationship.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2004)