Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing today with energy co-operation high on the agenda of his two-day trip.

Corporations from the two countries are discussing the possibility of building an extension to China from a pipeline that runs from eastern Siberia to the Pacific coast to be completed in 2008. "Russia's oil exports to China are increasing steadily," Putin told Xinhua News Agency before his visit. "If the proposed oil pipeline is completed, oil supplies to China will be significantly increased."

Apart from the pipeline and trade, the nuclear issues involving Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and anti-terrorism co-operation will be among the topics in the meeting between President Hu Jintao and Putin. The two sides are expected to issue a joint communique and sign several agreements.

Russian media said gas giant Gazprom would ink an agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation to finalize a price policy for Russia's gas exports to China.

China Daily

(China Daily 03/21/2006 page1)