The development of the strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia complies with the wishes and fundamental interests of both sides and the changing international circumstances.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made the remarks in Beijing Wednesday when talking with his Russian counterpart Mikhail Kasyanov.

Exchanging views in a friendly atmosphere, the two leaders reached consensus on wide-ranging bilateral and international issues.

Wen said the two countries had seen the sound development of bilateral ties and positive results in cooperation in recent years.

Mutual trust in politics was strengthened, economic and trade relations rapidly progressed, and consultation and coordination in international affairs were pushed forward, he said.

China appreciated Russia's adherence to the one-China policy, and its support for China in important and sensitive issues involving Taiwan, Tibet, human rights and fighting terrorism, Wen said.

He stressed the new leadership of China took China-Russia ties as a priority of its foreign policy, and was willing to join with Russia to explore a new stage of bilateral ties.

Wen made three proposals on furthering economic cooperation, which included enlarging mutual investment and cooperation in energy and electromechanical fields, diversifying trade, and enhancing cooperation between China and the Far East and Siberian regions of Russia.

He said China and Russia were both undergoing industrial reconstruction with rapid economic growth, which provided possibilities to promote investment and cooperation.

He hoped the two sides took a long-term perspective and expanded cooperation at all levels.

Speaking highly of the consultation of prime ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members, Wen said the talks achieved results in two great tasks: strengthening mechanism construction and closing a multilateral cooperation program.

This meant a profound impact on economic cooperation among SCO members, Wen said, adding the two countries should continue coordinating with each other to improve the SCO mechanism, as an important content of the strategic partnership of cooperation.

Kasyanov said he agreed with Wen's remarks on bilateral relations.

He said Russia and China had achieved important results in all cooperative fields and the two sides should cherish the strategic partnership of cooperation and make efforts to realize the bilateral cooperative goals set by the two governments.

The two sides should also ensure the continued expansion of cooperation, mutual trust and diverse cooperation, he said, adding that it complied with Russia's strategic policies and the interests of the Russian government and people.

To expand bilateral economic and trade cooperation, Kasyanov said Russia hoped the two sides could adjust and diversify trade structures and improve trade forms and increase mutual investment.

Kasyanov said Russia was willing to improve cooperation with China in oil, natural gas, electric power, spaceflight and civil aviation.

He said Russia would try to satisfy China's demands for oil and natural gas.

As for the oil transmission pipeline from Russia to China, Kasyanov said the Russian government would implement the agreement reached between Russia and China and fulfill Russia's promise.

Kasyanov also commended exchanges in the cultural area, and expressed his hope that Russia and China could improve cooperation in education and tourism.

He said Russia would maintain consultation and cooperation with China in Shanghai Cooperation Organization affairs and the international affairs.

After the meeting, Wen and Kasyanov signed a joint communique of the eighth regular meeting of the prime ministers of China and Russia and attended the signing ceremony of other five documents.
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2003)