China eyes more investment, high-tech co-op with Russia

BEIJING - China looks forward to more mutual investment and closer high-tech cooperation with Russia, an official said Thursday prior to Premier Wen Jiabao's upcoming visit to Russia.

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Cheng Guoping made the remarks at a press briefing on Wen's visit and the forthcoming 17th regular meeting between the two countries' prime ministers next week.

During his trip, Wen will meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and hold talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, according to Cheng.

Cheng said the Chinese side looks forward to new progress in pragmatic cooperation with Russia in multiple areas through Wen's visit, especially in increasing mutual investment, deepening energy cooperation and further advancing cooperation in high technology, in the financial sector and at sub-national levels.

In the first 10 months of 2012, trade between China and Russia reached $73.6 billion, 13.4 percent higher than that of the same period in 2011, Cheng said, noting that this was a rare achievement against the backdrop of the global economic slump.

The official said Wen will focus his discussion with Russian leaders on how to deepen political trust, advance strategic cooperative programs and increase cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The Chinese side hopes the two countries will consolidate their mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests through the visit, Cheng said.

According to the official, Wen will also communicate with Russian leaders on major international and regional issues.

It is expected that the two sides will voice their commitment to safeguarding the outcomes of the Second World War and the post-war international order, the vice foreign minister added.

During Wen's visit, a series of cooperative documents will be signed between governmental bodies as well as enterprises of the two countries, besides a joint communique by the two prime ministers.