China pushes Russia for gas and oil
15/3/2005 8:33
China plans to tap Russia for increased gas and oil supplies, improve
relations with Japan and hold talks with India on expanded trade cooperation,
Premier Wen Jiabao told some 700 journalists from home and abroad at a news
conference following yesterday's close of the National People's
Congress.
Answering a question raised by a Russian journalist, Wen described
the Sino-Russian relationship over the past few years as "the best period,"
pointing to the resolution of border issues and a joint goal to expand bilateral
trade by as much as US$80 billion by 2010.
The chinese premier also said he
will hold discussions later this year with his Russian counterpart, Mikhail
Fradkov, on trade and economic cooperation, particularly "in oil and gas
exploration."
He said Russia has promised to enlarge oil exports to China
from last year's 9 million tons to 10 million tons this year and 15 million tons
in 2006 and said a consensus on energy cooperation had been
reached.
"President Vladimir Putin has made it clear that Russia will give
first consideration to China in building an oil-gas pipeline in Siberia," he
said.
"China-Russian energy cooperation is an important part of bilateral
friendship and is based on mutual benefit."
The premier also voiced
expectations for high-level exchanges of visits between China and Japan.
The
foreign affairs departments of both countries should begin research on
strengthening Sino-Japanese ties, Wen said.
"Any problems left over from
history should be properly handled," he said, acknowledging that Sino-Japanese
cooperation has made great progress since the normalization of relations in
1972.
Last year, bilateral trade between the two nations approached US$170
billion, and the visitor exchange between the two countries exceeded 4
million.
The premier also pointed to the existence of obstacles to
Sino-Japanese relations, say they exist mostly in the political sector.
"The
fundamental issue is how the Japanese side views the issues left over from
history," Wen said.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of China's victory
on the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The premier called on both
countries to use the lessons of history to guide their future paths.
He also
urged Japan to adhere to the "one-China" principle.
(Xinhua)
Xinhua
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