Visiting Chinese Vice Premier Zeng Peiyan pledged China's support Friday for greater investment in Russia and urged more joint efforts in the energy sector.

In talks with his Russian counterpart Alexander Zhukov in St. Petersburg, Zeng said China encourages its companies to invest more in Russia and also welcomes Russian companies to venture into Chinese markets.

Cooperation needs to be boosted in such areas as agriculture, fishery, forestry, mineral resources exploitation and development, energy projects, infrastructure, machinery, textile and the hi-tech industry, Zeng said. He called for greater efforts to protect the legal rights of investors and workers.

Zeng and Zhukov discussed joint projects in the energy sector.

Zeng said cooperation in oil and gas pipelines, oil and gas exploitation, railway oil shipment and power projects will boost economic growth for both countries and that both sides need to step up work on these projects.

Zhukov, for his part, said Russia will push for closer cooperation with China in energy, investment and trade and work to create favorable conditions to attract more Chinese investment.

Source: Xinhua