Energy ties with Russia 'important for nation'

The nation should maintain close cooperation with Russia in the energy sector and accelerate a new natural gas pipeline project, said Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli on Friday in Beijing during his meeting with Alexei Miller, president of Russia's state-owned natural gas giant Gazprom OAO.

Zhang said the two neighbors achieved great success in the energy industry last year and will focus on making their cooperation more effective for mutual benefit.

Based on bilateral agreements, China and Russia will accelerate the construction of a western natural gas pipeline linking Russia's Siberia and northwestern China.