Russia, China Vow Intense Cooperation

By Andreeva Svetlana

The quality of the Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation has advanced to an unprecedentedly high level showing a high level of confidence, Russia`s President Vladimir Putin said during his visit to China. He stressed that Moscow and Beijing expect to reach new levels in the years to come, with trade volume between the two nations to stand at $100 billion in 2015 and at $200 billion in 2020.

Russia and China have recently seen a boost in bilateral relations. Moscow and Beijing see eye to eye on many political issues, including the Syrian crisis, as well as on the Iranian and North Korean nuclear issues.

“We have achieved a high level of confidence on these issues and provide assistance to each other on the key matters. What is also important is that our trade-economic relations are also about to enter a brand new level, – Mr. Putin said. – Today we have signed about twenty bilateral agreements affecting various spheres of cooperation: energy, industry, banking, aircraft building, and innovation technology. We will diversify our mutual trade and boost mutual investment. We also plan to intensify direct cooperation between our regions and businesses. We have agreed to speed up the invention of a long-haul wide body aircraft and a heavy helicopter, and also to proceed with the implementation of joint projects in space exploration.”

Chinese President Hu Jintao also commented on the importance of trade-economic relations with Russia: “We are also intended to improve investment cooperation, industrial partnership, as well as to deepen our contacts in oil and gas and atomic energy industries. Our joint efforts are expected to bring our trade volume to $100 billion by 2015 and to $200 billion by the year 2020.”

As far as energy cooperation is concerned, last year Russia delivered 15 million tons of crude oil to China. No failures have been reported in the operation of the first reactor of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Station which was built together with Russia. The Tianwan plant was recognized as the world`s safest nuclear plant. In 2011 Russian experts also helped China to launch a fast neutron reactor.

Since Mr. Putin`s meeting with Hu Jintao took place ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit Beijing is hosting on June 6, the two leaders shared their views on the key international issues. Mr. Putin said that Russia`s dialogue with China on the Iranian nuclear issue and the Syrian crisis proved ‘productive’