BEIJING, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Vice Premier Han Zheng called on China and Russia to further promote in-depth cooperation in the natural gas area Tuesday when meeting with Alexei Miller, CEO of Russian natural gas company Gazprom.

China-Russia energy cooperation has maintained high-level development and made many new achievements with the attention from and push by the two heads of state, Han said during the meeting.

Both sides should prepare well for the pipeline gas supply as the east-route natural gas pipeline will be completed and put into operation in December, he said.

The two sides should further promote in-depth gas cooperation based on the principles of mutual benefit and commercial feasibility, and seek greater outcomes in the all-around pragmatic China-Russia energy cooperation.

Miller said that the running of the east-route pipeline will be a major achievement of Russia-China energy cooperation, and Gazprom will make joint efforts with the Chinese side to ensure smooth gas supply.