Chinese vice premier, Putin witness start of construction on China-Russia gas pipeline

Earlier in the day, Zhang met with Putin and conveyed to him the warm greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During their meeting in Shanghai in May, the presidents of the two countries agreed to establish a "comprehensive energy cooperation partnership" and have personally advanced the cooperation on the East Route of China-Russia natural gas pipeline, which is a large-scale project of historic and strategic significance, Zhang said, adding that the two sides should implement the leaders' consensus and ensure the smooth progress of the project.

According to Zhang, the practical cooperation between China and Russia is comprehensive, strategic, stable and sustainable. He said China is ready to work with Russia to advance bilateral cooperation to wider areas and higher levels on the basis of reciprocal needs and mutual benefits.

Zhang also expressed the hope that the two countries would advance energy cooperation simultaneously in the areas of oil, natural gas, nuclear energy, coal, electricity and new energy, both through the west and east routes and in the upper and lower chain of the industry.

The Chinese vice premier also urged the two countries to further expand cooperation in investment, trade, finance, transport, culture, tourism, high technology, aviation and aerospace, agricultural produces, housing, infrastructure development and local governments, while carrying out even more large-scale strategic projects that is oriented to the future, add new content and impetus to the comprehensive bilateral strategic partnership and make active contribution to the common development of the two countries and to peace and stability of the world.

Putin asked Zhang to convey his good will to President Xi, saying he expects to meet with Xi again soon.