Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit China from October 14 to 16. At a press conference held Sunday, Russian Ambassador to China Igor Rogachev said that Russia has decided to strengthen cooperation with China on large-scale projects to raise the level of economic coordination. He also revealed that the long brewing plan of Russia-China oil pipeline would be unveiled in a few months.

When asked whether President Putin's China visit this time will bring good news after ten years' talks on this project, Rogachev said that Putin will discuss the issue with Chinese leaders. He further told reporters that Russia will soon finish studying the pipeline plan and the Russian stance on this issue is that both interests of the Far East region and the friendly Chinese people should be considered. Facing close questions from the press, Rogachev answered cleverly that why not wait for another few months for the final result since we have been waiting for ten years?

During his impending visit, Putin will discuss with Chinese leaders a wide range of topics including bilateral ties, international affairs and fight against terrorism. It is presently an important way of raising trade and economic exchange levels through cooperation on extra-large projects, said Rogachev. The bilateral trade volume this year is expected to reach $20 billion and the two sides plan to raise the figure to 60 billion by 2010 and 80 billion in the following few years. The first-stage project of Sutianwan nuclear station in Jiangshu Province, in which Russia participated, will soon be finished and the two countries are considering building new large-scale nuclear stations. Now the two sides are conducting feasibility studies on cooperation in constructing Suizhong power station in Liaoning and extracting an opencut coal mine in Inner Mongolia.

President Putin will lead a huge delegation to China this time, Rogachev revealed, including deputy vice premier Alexander Zhukov, quite a number of ministers, five governors of Far East states, officials in charge of military exchanges with China, as well as representatives from business and all walks of life. More than 100 Russian youngsters will also tome to Beijing. On top of activities in Beijing, Putin will pay a visit to ancient Chinese city Xi'an.

According to agreements reached between high-ranking officials of the two militaries, Russia and China will conduct joint military drills next year, Sergei N. Goncharov, minister-counselor of the Russian Embassy in China, confirmed at the press conference.

By People's Daily Online