Prior to his official visit to Russia, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council accepted the interview of ITAR-TASS and Interfax, expounding his opinions on China-Russia relations and raising proposals on broadening bilateral exchanges and cooperation in all fields and strengthening the role of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Talking about China-Russia relations, Wen said that the relationship can be summarized in two sentences. First, it is in the best historical period; second, it is in the most important historical stage. The former describes today while the latter indicates the future.

Since China and Russia established the strategic partnership 10 years ago, the bilateral relations have undergone great and substantial changes which are mainly demonstrated by the ever-increasing political mutual trust. The cooperation mechanism between China and Russia is characterized by high level, sophisticated structure and wide coverage. In the economic area, China-Russia economic and trade relations have progressed significantly in recent years, which are accompanied by improving trade structure and increasing mutual investment. This year the bilateral trade volume will exceed US$40 billion, and we are fully confident to realize the scheduled goal of US$80 billion by 2010. More than 500 events under the framework of the China Year and the Russia Year have been held last year and this year, which have drawn extensively active responses. All those activities have enhanced the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, promoted the bilateral cooperation in various fields and enriched the connotation of China-Russia strategic partnership. As pointed out by the leaders of both countries, it is a great achievement.

This year marks the beginning of the next decade of bilateral strategic partnership. The next ten years will be an important historical period for the development of international situation and bilateral relations. Therefore, Premier Wen's visit to Russia is of special significance. He will exchange opinions with Russian leaders on the bilateral relations and major international issues. Both sides will sign a number of important cooperation documents. He believes that the visit will further push forward the development of bilateral strategic partnership.

On the question of priority cooperation areas in the next stage, Wen pointed out that China and Russia will strengthen political mutual trust through high-level contacts of leaders and cooperation at all levels extensively and continue to support each other on the key issues of common concern. He expressed appreciation to Russia for its long-term valuable support for China on such major questions as Taiwan and Tibet. Meanwhile, China supports Russia's efforts of maintaining national sovereignty and territorial integrity, following the development path suitable to its national conditions and opposing to external intervention.

China and Russia should strengthen cooperation in various fields including economy and trade, science and technology, education and culture. He put special emphasis on economic and trade cooperation. In terms of trade, focus should be put on not only expanding the volume but also improving the structure and quality. Mutual investment should be expanded, and cooperation should be reinforced in not only the energy sector but also the machinery and electronic sectors. Therefore, both countries should give full play to the role of China-Russia machinery and electronic products council as a new platform of bilateral cooperation. They should also attach importance to the cooperation in science and technology and environmental protection and explore new cooperation areas.

It is necessary to carefully review the successful experience of holding the China Year and the Russia Year and carry on the effective outcomes, which is very important to promoting the understanding and cooperation between the two peoples.

The cooperation between China and Russia within the SCO should be reinforced. The SCO has developed for 6 years. Facts show that it is totally necessary and correct to establish the organization. The two countries should enhance coordination within the organization and make it a truly important mechanism for peace, stability, security and development in the region.

The cooperation between the two countries in the United Nations and other important international organizations should be intensified. China and Russia hold identical or similar opinions on almost all the important international issues. Both China and Russia hold that countries should respect each other and treat each other as equals and support world multi-polarization and cultural diversification. We should make joint efforts to promote world peace and development and enhance the democratization of international relations.

On the question whether China prepares to increase investment in Russia, Wen noted that to expand the mutual investment is a key aspect of strengthening bilateral economic and trade relations. We have set the goal that China will make an accumulative investment of US$12 billion in Russia by 2020. We must make every effort possible to encourage Chinese enterprises to do business and invest in Russia. Such investment covers a wide range of areas including not only the mineral and energy resources sector but also the power and manufacturing processing industries, as well as the infrastructure, agriculture, fishery and forestry industries. The investment of Chinese enterprises in Russia not only promotes their own development but also stimulates the bilateral economic and trade cooperation. When investing in Russia, Chinese businesses should follow the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, observe Russian laws and win trust by making quality, secure and efficient investment. We are fully confident that Russia will also protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and facilitate their investment according to the bilateral investment protection agreement. He reiterated that China also sincerely welcomes the investment from Russian businesses.

Wen stressed that to strengthen energy cooperation is a major consensus between China and Russia and such cooperation has maintained a sound momentum of development in recent years. The two governments have conducted effective communications and coordination. The energy companies of both countries are discussing and implementing a series of key cooperation projects of oil, natural gas, electricity and energy equipment manufacturing, with expanding energy cooperation areas and diversified cooperation models. Wen said that it is a common choice made by the two countries for mutual benefit and win-win outcome to construct the crude oil and natural gas pipelines from Russia to China and expressed hope that the businesses of both countries should accelerate efforts in that aspect.

As to the question of strengthening the role of the SCO, Wen said that security, economy and culture and education are the major cooperation areas of the organization. China hopes that such cooperation moves ahead in a balanced way. To promote the regional economic cooperation and strengthen self-development capacity jointly are effective ways of solving their development problems, eradicating the "three forces" and ensuring peace and tranquility for all the people in the region. China will continue to make joint efforts with Russia and Central Asian countries to push forward regional cooperation and accelerate their development.