Premier Zhu, Russian PM Kasyanov Hold Talks

Premier Zhu, Russian PM Kasyanov Hold Talks

Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji held talks in Beijing Friday with visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, and the two sides exchanged views on bilateral cooperation as well as international and regional issues of common concern, with extensive consensus reached.

Zhu said Kasyanov's visit is "an important contact between Chinese and Russian leaders following Russian President Vladimir Putin's China visit last July".

He added the two sides will implement the agreements reached between the two heads of state and further promote bilateral cooperation in economic, scientific and technological sectors.

Zhu said the establishment and development of the strategic partnership for cooperation between the two countries marks "a new stage in Sino-Russian relations".

Since Putin assumed presidency, Chinese and Russian leaders have kept frequent contact, and the strategic and cooperative partnership of the two countries has maintained a stable and healthy development, he added.

Zhu pointed out that Sino-Russian relations are presently " better than any time in history".

Such a relationship, nurtured by both sides, is a solid foundation for bilateral cooperation in the economic, scientific and technological sectors, he added.

Zhu stressed that China's strategy to expand its vast western region has provided good opportunities for Sino-Russian cooperation.

The all-round cooperation between China and Russia is certain to continue to intensify, as long as the two sides "make joint efforts following the principles of equality and mutual benefit as well as the rules of the market economy".

Kasyanov said the strategic and cooperative partnership between Russia and China has guided the development of Russia-China relations.

He said Russia speaks highly of the regular meeting system between Russian and Chinese heads of government, which "aims to lay a solid foundation for the implementation of the agreements reached between the two heads of states", as well as "the reciprocal cooperation between the two countries in diverse sectors including economy, science, technology and education".

He noted that Russia's economy is presently turning out a positive momentum of development and Russia is willing to further intensify trade and economic cooperation with China.

Kasyanov said Russia is very interested in China's 10th Five- Year Plan, scheduled from 2001 to 2005, and wishes to participate in some of China's development projects, especially the development of China's west.

After their talks, Zhu and Kasyanov signed a joint communique.

Other documents signed between China and Russia Friday included minutes for the fourth meeting of the Joint Commission for the Regular Meetings of Heads of Government of Russia and China, held in Beijing Wednesday between Chinese State Councilor Wu Yi and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Ilya Klebanov, a protocol further to the agreement signed on June 27, 1997 regarding the establishment and organization of a regular meeting system for the Chinese and the Russian governments, and other agreements on Sino-Russian cooperation in trade, economic, and scientific and technological sectors.