China, Russia agree to expand energy cooperation

BEIJING - Chinese Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli and his Russian counterpart Arkady Dvorkovich Wednesday agreed to expand energy cooperation between the two countries.

Zhang and Dvorkovich made the remarks when co-chairing the 14th annual meeting of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee.

Zhang said the energy cooperation between the two countries had a steady development, and Russia has become the biggest crude oil exporter, the biggest electric power exporter and the fifth largest coal exporter to China.

He said both sides had jointly promoted projects, including the east-route gas pipeline project and the Yamal liquefied natural gas project, and conducted cooperation in more areas.

"The fruitful results in energy cooperation injected impetus to the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination," Zhang said.

Hailing the frequent high-level visits and political trust between the two countries, Dvorkovich said China and Russia supported each other on their core interests.

"Russia is willing to work with China to push cooperation in energy and other areas to yield more results in bilateral trade and investment," Dvorkovich said.

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on natural gas, oil,electric power, coal and new energy.

China and Russia agreed to promote major strategic cooperation programs in the energy sector, accelerate energy equipment cooperation and enhance standard docking in energy cooperation.