Putin Calls for Further Economic Ties with China

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday called for further economic cooperation with China, saying bilateral ties in this sphere should be raised to the same high level as those in the political field.

Replying to a Xinhua question at a press conference in the Kremlin, Putin said Russia-Chinese relations, as well as their cooperation in foreign policy arena, "is as high as ever today".

At the same time, Moscow hoped the two countries could further develop economic cooperation, for there were still great potentials in this field, the president said.

"We hope political cooperation will not decline, while relations in the civilian sectors of the economy would be raised" to that standard, he said.

Putin also thanked the Chinese people and leadership for their support in tackling key international issues.

He said he also hoped the Chinese partners felt the backing of their Russian colleagues.

A total of 700 journalists and more than 60 TV cameras were accredited to take part in Putin's news conference, the second of its kind since he was sworn in as the Russian President in 1999. During the nearly two-hour meeting, the president replied to questions from Russian and foreign journalists ranging from Russia's domestic issues to foreign policies.

( June 25, 2002)