Premier Zhu: China-Russia Trade Has Great Potential

Chinese Premier Holds Talks with Russian President

Premier Zhu Rongji said Tuesday that the Chinese government pays great attention to the development of trade and economic cooperation with Russia and the two sides should do more to explore the great potential.

Zhu made the remarks to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a state visit to China, his first since he won the presidential election in March.

Zhu said that although the two countries have witnessed growth in trade and economic cooperation over the past several years, enterprises of both China and Russia should increase contacts and study each other's market to help expand trade and economic cooperation.

They can use economic means to push forward bilateral ties, he added.

The Chinese premier also said he is looking forward to meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov for the fifth regular meeting between prime ministers of the two countries later this year in Beijing. He added that China is busy preparing for the meeting.

Putin said trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China have bright prospects as the two countries are complementary in their resources, technology, products and professionals.

He said the governments of the two countries should help enterprises expand cooperation in various areas.

Prime Minister Kasyanov will bring home more firm cooperative projects after his meeting with Zhu, Putin added.

Earlier today, Chinese President Jiang Zemin exchanged views with Putin on a wide range of issues. They also signed the Beijing Declaration and a joint statement on the anti-ballistic missile issue.