‘China-Russia ties tight, fruitful’

on matters of respective major concerns, according to Wen.
“Co-operation between China and Russia based on mutual trust, benefit and assistance has effectively safeguarded the fundamental interests of the two countries, while creating a positive impact on shaping the global order,” said the Chinese premier.
The international financial crisis has not only brought severe challenges but also vital opportunities to advancing bilateral ties between China and Russia, Wen told Putin.
China and Russia should fully utilise multiple mechanisms, including the regular meeting between their two premiers, to boost the quality and scale of co-operation in sectors such as trade, investment, energy and high technology, thus providing new momentum for economic construction, Wen urged.
He further suggested that China and Russia jointly promote economic co-operation within the framework of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) so as to benefit all SCO member states and enhance the organisation’s solidarity and competitive capacity.
The development of Russia and China has significant influence upon global economy and politics, agreed Putin.
The advancement of co-operation between Russia and China is not only in line with the common interests of the two countries, but also conducive to the peaceful development of the world, he said.
Based on the spirit of equality and reciprocality, Russia is willing to work with China to expand co-operation in key sectors including oil, gas, nuclear energy, aviation, aerospace, high technology and agriculture, added the Russian president.
Moscow and Beijing yesterday also reaffirmed their strong opposition to intervention in Syria, under mounting international pressure to change a stance that has infuriated Western powers.
A joint statement issued after talks between China’s leaders and visiting Russian president said the two countries opposed any attempt to impose regime change in Syria after 15 months of bloody conflict.
“Russia and China are decisively against attempts to regulate the Syrian crisis with outside military intervention, as well as imposing a policy of regime change, including within the Security Council,” it said.
The giant neighbours also came out against any use of military force or “unilateral sanctions” against Iran in the statement, released after China’s Premier Wen Jiabao met visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Wen said Beijing opposes any Middle Eastern country seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, China’s official Xinhua news agency reported.
Putin and Ahmadinejad will meet today, as Moscow prepares to host more talks later this month aimed at finding a diplomatic solution to the stand-off over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Moscow and Beijing have remained in lockstep over Syria, opposing foreign intervention and forced regime change in the conflict-torn nation.
The two nations vetoed two UN Security Council resolutions criticising President Bashar al-Assad’s regime earlier this year, but they have also voiced support for UN-Arab League special envoy Kofi Annan’s six-point peace plan. — Xinhua-AFP.