China plans to significantly increase its electricity imports
from Russia, a move considered important for bilateral cooperation
in the energy sector.
The agreement between State Grid Corporation of China and
Russia's electricity monopoly Unified Energy Systems was one of the
13 key deals the two countries inked Thursday in Beijing in the
presence of Premier Wen Jiabao and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail
Fradkov.
Under the new agreement, Russian media reported, the country
would supply up to 60 billion kWh of electricity to China per year,
beginning 4.3 billion kWh. China's current consumption is about 2.2
trillion kWh annually.
The other documents included investment protection and
encouragement, exports of Russian machinery and technical products
as well as a framework agreement on strategic cooperation between
oil companies.
Before the agreement-signing ceremony, Fradkov, on a two-day
visit to China, met with Wen at the 11th regular meeting of the
heads of governments. During the two-hour talks, both men
highlighted energy and the peaceful use of nuclear power as the key
areas to boost partnership.
The Tianwan nuclear power plant, a major Sino-Russian project
now under construction in Lianyungang, a port city in east China's
Jiangsu Province, is an example of such
collaboration.
Jiangsu media reported that the plant started generating
electricity last month; while Russian media reported it would reach
full capacity next month.
Wen said the strengthening of the Sino-Russian strategic
partnership is essential as the development of the two countries as
well as global peace requires it, further noting that both world
powers have worked effectively in resolving international
issues.
Fradkov echoed Wen's remarks, saying Russia is willing to take
more measures to push bilateral ties to a new high.
Also Thursday, the two countries sealed eight other agreements
covering trade and technical cooperation at the beginning of the
Sino-Russian Investment Promotion Week. The contracted investment
volume from the Chinese side is US$1 billion.
The two leaders also attended the closing ceremony of the "Year of Russia" in China at the Great Hall of
the People last night.
Wen delivered a speech, saying holding such activities as the
Year of Russia and the Year of China improved Sino-Russian
relations, reflecting the strategic and cooperative partnership as
well as the two peoples' desire for long-lasting friendship.
China will show its achievement in reform and in opening up
construction to Russian people next year through the Year of China,
he said.
In Fradkov's speech, he said the "Year of Russia" had played an
important role in pushing forward political contact and exchanges
between the youth of the two countries.
"It has injected dynamics into cooperation in all areas," he
said.
He vowed to hold a successful "Year of China" in Russia in the
coming year.
Following the ceremony, the Tchaikovsky State Academic Big
Symphony Orchestra played classical Russian music as well as
traditional Chinese pieces under the guidance of Vladimir Fedoseyev
and Chinese conductor Shao En.
(China Daily, Xinhua News Agency November 10,
2006)
