Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao met in Moscow with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov on the morning of March 27, 2007, exchanging in-depth views on developing bilateral ties and pragmatic cooperation in various fields.
Hu said the cooperation between the two countries entered another new stage last year with fruitful results being achieved. This year the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation will enter its second decade, which is a crucial period for national construction and development of both countries. Both sides should build up mutual trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, and keep closer strategic cooperation in international and regional affairs, so as to advance the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation for the benefit of both peoples, said Hu.
Fradkov said Hu's state visit to Russia is another important manifestation of in-depth development of bilateral strategic partnership of cooperation. The "Year of China in Russia" will help deepen mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, he said, expressing belief that the events of the "Year of China" will achieve a success.
Hu urged the two sides to take advantage of the regular exchange mechanism between the two prime ministers, make an overall plan for cooperation layout, draw a long-term blueprint, and supervise the implementation of various agreements and consensuses reached by both sides, so as to further push trade and economic cooperation for more achievements. Hu called on the two sides to coordinate strategies on economic and regional development in a bid to complement each other's development advantages. The two countries should support each other's companies to strengthen cooperation, jointly explore new markets, advance economic and technological cooperation projects, address each other's concerns and improve cooperation efficiency and quality, Hu said.
Hu pointed out China will encourage its companies to invest in Russia, especially in infrastructure construction, manufacturing, high-tech industry, timber processing, energy and natural resources exploitation that the Russian side is interested in. "China also welcomes investment by Russian companies in China," Hu added. The Chinese president proposed the overall planning for investment cooperation and the creation of a lay-out for medium- and long-term science cooperation based on priority directions and practical needs of each other's scientific development. He also called on both sides to speed up key projects in the fields of space, nuclear energy and other energy resources, new materials, chemical engineering, bio-technology, communications and information technology and promote cooperation in the transformation of scientific achievements.
Hu emphasized that the two sides should go ahead with the social and cultural exchange projects that yield good results within the framework of the reciprocal theme years. He urged the two sides to give play to the role of the committees for humanistic cooperation between the two countries, and stimulate cooperation in culture, education, health-care, sports and tourism.
The Russian prime minister agreed with the comments made and development goals set by Hu Jintao on bilateral cooperation. He said the two countries are actively implementing the agreements already agreed upon and their economic and trade ties continue to be consolidated and developed with the trade volume growing continuously. Fradkov appreciated China's active will and important efforts in improving trade mix and increasing imports of machinery from Russia. Both sides have defined more cooperation targets and are scheming investment cooperation and conducting cooperation in multiple forms in the fields of oil, natural gas, and power generation, he said. As both countries enjoy steady economic growth currently, they should fully tap potential to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, natural resources, nuclear energy and transportation, as well as in regional events, said the Russian prime minister. He pointed out the humanistic cooperation enjoys broad prospect and the two countries should take the opportunity of the reciprocal theme years to expand cooperation in the area.
Hu also visited Moscow 1948 Middle School and called on the staff of the Chinese Embassy in Russia, and representatives from Chinese-funded institutions, overseas Chinese and Chinese students.
Vice Premier Wu Yi and other accompanying officials attended the above activities.