Sino-Russian energy cooperation set to expand after meeting in Moscow

Vice-Premier Han Zheng and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Kozak agreed to expand energy cooperation between the two countries.

Han and Kozak spoke on Monday as they co-chaired the 15th annual meeting of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee.

Han, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said energy collaboration is one of the most important parts of the Sino-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination.

Bilateral cooperation in the energy sector has made great advances since last year's annual meeting, Han said.

He said the two countries will continue to utilize the energy committee, enhance the quality of the cooperation, boost the content of projects, push to achieve more in the field of energy and fully prepare for the upcoming 23rd China-Russia Prime Ministers' Regular Meeting.

Han raised suggestions for future cooperation, saying both nations should implement all ongoing projects as well as agreements between the governments.

China and Russia should cooperate more broadly and establish win-win energy relations, Han added.

He also suggested they expand communication and exchanges in energy technology, industrial standards, talent and information to raise the soft power in their energy sectors.

Hailing the frequent high-level visits and close cooperation regarding energy, Kozak said China and Russia have achieved major progress in recent years, which has nurtured the high-level development of China-Russian relations.

"Such close cooperation in energy shows the high-level mutual trust and close coordination between us," he said.

Kozak said Russia is confident about future energy cooperation with China, and looks forward to implementing the agreements of Presidents Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping by making full use of the energy cooperation committee.

The two sides exchanged views on major projects in natural gas, oil, electric power and coal. The delegations also reached broad agreement on future cooperation programs.