China, Russia Hold Talks on Bilateral Market Access

China and Russia held their first talks Wednesday in Beijing on bilateral market access in relation to Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization.

Vice-Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation Long Yongtu, head of the Chinese delegation, said that the Chinese government supported Russia's bid for WTO membership as early as possible, and hoped the talks would help promote the development of Sino-Russian economic and trade relations.

Head of the Russian delegation Maxim Medvedkov, Vice-Minister of Economic Development and Trade, expressed appreciation for China's support, saying that WTO talks between Russia and China would breathe new vitality into bilateral economic relations.

On June 4 and 5, the two sides held technical-level talks in Beijing. After the conclusion of today's talks, they agreed that the talks were positive and constructive, with important progress achieved.

The two sides both said that they would continue to negotiate with a flexible and practical attitude, so as to reach an agreement as soon as possible.

( June 6, 2002)