China, Russia pledge to strengthen cooperation

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meets with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Astana, Kazakhstan, Dec. 15, 2014. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

ASTANA, Dec. 15  -- Visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Russian counterpart, Dmitry Medvedev, agreed here Monday to strengthen cooperation between their countries in various fields.

Beijing and Moscow have been actively implementing the consensus reached two months ago at the 19th regular meeting of Chinese and Russian heads of government, Li said when meeting with Medvedev in the Kazakh capital.

Meanwhile, he added, the two sides have been gathering momentum in the development of their comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and bilateral cooperation in various fields.

While expressing Beijing's readiness to expand energy cooperation with Russia, Li also urged the two sides to earnestly implement the memorandum of understanding they have signed on high-speed railway cooperation and work out a plan for the Moscow-Kazan project as soon as possible.

Li added that China is willing to increase investment in Russia's Far East and take part in the construction of a leap-forward development zone in the region.

China is ready to explore with Russia mutually beneficial cooperation in non-energy sectors, especially in infrastructure construction, said the Chinese premier.

He also called for concerted efforts to support the second China-Russia expo and the international innovation industry expo to be held respectively in China and in Russia's Yekaterinburg next year.

The Chinese side is ready to work with Russia and other parties concerned to build the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) into a mechanism that benefits regional security and development, Li said.

China, he added, will actively support Russia in playing the role of rotating SCO chair and striving for fresh and significant breakthroughs in SCO practical cooperation.

Medvedev said Li's latest visit to Russia has vigorously promoted the development of bilateral relations, with cooperation on key projects advancing steadily.

Russia is ready to further enhance cooperation with China in such areas as oil and gas, nuclear energy, hydropower, finance, science and technology, innovation, aeronautic manufacturing and space technology, as well as in the development of Russia's Far East region, he said.

He said Russia will also strengthen cooperation with China within the framework of the SCO to safeguard regional peace, stability and development.

Li arrived here Sunday to pay an official visit to Kazakhstan and attend the 13th prime ministers' meeting of the SCO.