Russia Year in China: military and nuclear collaboration foreseen
Putin's visit paves the way for a series of events and talks on political, economic, military and cultural levels.
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) A visit by Vladimir Putin to Beijing, scheduled for next week, will aim first and foremost for energy o-operation between Russia and China.
The two-day visit (23 to 25 March) will launch the Year of Russia in China. At least 200 political, economic, military and cultural programmes are planned. Co-operation in energy sectors, including oil and gas, "will be a priority", said Sergei Razov, Russia's ambassador to Beijing. China's rapid economic developments call for large energy reserves, and Russia has become one of its main oil suppliers:, with more than 15 million tons of crude to be dispatched by train. In recent years, China has competing with Japan to become the terminal of a Siberian pipeline. Russia had already decided for Japan, but Razov said his country is thinking of constructing a branch of the line to China.
Moscow and Beijing are collaborating in a joint exploration scheme for Siberian gas and a nuclear power plant in Lianyungang, their biggest economic co-operation project.
According to Li Hui, deputy foreign affairs minister, Putin and Hu Jintao will discuss growing military collaboration and other international matters. Events for the Year of Russia include at least five military-type projects. Russo-Chinese cooperation is worrying the United States and Taiwan. China and Russia see eye to eye about several international issues: both are pushing for a diplomatic solution to the Iran nuclear crisis and both back the resumption of six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear question.
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