Energy to top Chinese PM's Moscow agenda
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
MOSCOW, Nov 6 (PTI): The construction of a trans-Siberian gas pipeline to China and civil nuclear cooperation are expected to top the agenda of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's two-day visit to Russia beginning yesterday.
In Moscow, Wen is scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss economic cooperation with Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov.
He will also attend the closing ceremony of the 'Year of China' in Russia.
In interviews to Russian news agencies ahead of his visit, Wen pressed for signing of an intergovernmental agreement on Russian gas supplies to China.
"It is desirable that the relevant companies implement the project in line with the agreed-upon timeline. It is also important to sign an intergovernmental agreement as soon as possible so as to provide guarantees and support to this project," Wen said even as Moscow appeared reluctant to start the gas pipeline project until Beijing agrees to pay the same price for gas as European customers.
He also noted the need for building an oil pipeline from Russia to China as Chinese oil major CNPC has already set up a joint venture-Vostok Energy-with Russia's Rosneft.
"The strengthening of energy cooperation between China and Russia is an important agreement between the two countries, and the dynamics of the development (in this field) has been quite eloquent in recent years," Wen said.
Energy-hungry China is keen to secure Russian energy resources to fuel its sustained growth, but unwilling to pay international market price, pro-Kremlin "Vremya Novostyei" daily wrote.
"It was a China-Russia joint decision to build an oil and gas pipeline from Russia to China. It benefits both countries," Wen reminded in an obvious reference to Moscow's reluctance to go ahead with the project till the price issues are resolved.
Wen said he was positive about a potential expansion in Sino- Russian cooperation in the civilian use of nuclear energy on the backdrop of two nuclear reactors build by Russia at Tianwan Nuclear Power Project in China.
In Moscow, Wen is scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin and discuss economic cooperation with Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov.
He will also attend the closing ceremony of the 'Year of China' in Russia.
In interviews to Russian news agencies ahead of his visit, Wen pressed for signing of an intergovernmental agreement on Russian gas supplies to China.
"It is desirable that the relevant companies implement the project in line with the agreed-upon timeline. It is also important to sign an intergovernmental agreement as soon as possible so as to provide guarantees and support to this project," Wen said even as Moscow appeared reluctant to start the gas pipeline project until Beijing agrees to pay the same price for gas as European customers.
He also noted the need for building an oil pipeline from Russia to China as Chinese oil major CNPC has already set up a joint venture-Vostok Energy-with Russia's Rosneft.
"The strengthening of energy cooperation between China and Russia is an important agreement between the two countries, and the dynamics of the development (in this field) has been quite eloquent in recent years," Wen said.
Energy-hungry China is keen to secure Russian energy resources to fuel its sustained growth, but unwilling to pay international market price, pro-Kremlin "Vremya Novostyei" daily wrote.
"It was a China-Russia joint decision to build an oil and gas pipeline from Russia to China. It benefits both countries," Wen reminded in an obvious reference to Moscow's reluctance to go ahead with the project till the price issues are resolved.
Wen said he was positive about a potential expansion in Sino- Russian cooperation in the civilian use of nuclear energy on the backdrop of two nuclear reactors build by Russia at Tianwan Nuclear Power Project in China.