Sino-Russian economic forum opens

MOSCOW—The second high-level Sino-Russian economic forum opened here on Tuesday, with leaders of the two countries pledging to deepen economic and trade ties.
Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao told the opening ceremony that since both countries hosted a series of cultural exchanges activities last year, bilateral economic and trade cooperation has further thrived. He cited the new progress in bilateral cooperation in such fields as investment, technology and resources, saying the prospering economic and trade cooperation is a result of the rapid economic development in both countries.
He also said the national theme years held in both countries have contributed to a deeper friendship and cooperation between the two peoples. Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov also lauded the progress in bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He specifically noted the encouraging growth of both countries’ mutual investment, the smooth cooperation in the high-tech area, and the great potential in bilateral energy cooperation.
He also encouraged enterprises of both countries to step up investment in the two countries. Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged late Monday to further promote the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.
During the partnership’s first decade China and Russia have achieved a thorough settlement of the border issue. Additionally, the two countries have put forward the concept of “friendship for generations” with the signing of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during talks with President Putin at the Kremlin Palace late Monday.
Mutual trust and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two sides have also been deepened over the past 10 years, said Wen, adding that the successful events of “the Year of Russia” in China and “the Year of China” in Russia have helped the Sino-Russian friendship take firm root in the hearts of both peoples.
Expressing his satisfaction with the rapid development of the partnership, the Chinese premier said its sound and stable growth is a guarantee of the development of both countries and a great contribution to world peace and stability.
He said that China will make continued efforts with Russia to maintain friendship for generations, deepen political mutual trust and offer firm support to each other on key issues to consolidate the political basis of the strategic cooperation. The two sides will also promote cooperation in areas of trade and economy, energy, investment, science and technology, and will improve the trade structure, increase the proportion of electromechanical products to strengthen the substantive basis of bilateral strategic cooperation, said Wen.
He said the two countries need to facilitate coordination to combat the “three evil forces” of terrorism, separatism and extremism, and make concerted efforts to safeguard regional peace and stability to solidify the security basis of their cooperation. The Chinese premier hoped that China and Russia will further advance collaboration and coordination on international affairs to make greater contributions to safeguarding world peace and promoting common development.
President Putin, for his part, said that the Sino-Russian strategic partnership has witnessed rapid development on the basis of mutual trust and mutual respect, and the two sides have cooperated satisfactorily in various areas. Attaching great importance to the partnership, Putin said that its advancement is conducive to safeguarding the fundamental interests of the two countries and world peace.
Whatever takes place in its domestic situation, Russia will be committed to strengthening Sino-Russian strategic cooperation, he said. Counting economic cooperation as one of the important bases of the partnership, Putin said that the Russian side is ready to further boost cooperation in areas such as trade and economy and energy, encourage cooperation between enterprises of both countries and expand mutual investments.
The successful event of “the Year of China” in Russia has demonstrated the vigorous vitality in cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries, the Russian president said.—Xinhua