China-Russia energy cooperation emphasized at meeting

Vice-Premier Han Zheng called on China and Russia on Wednesday to strengthen coordination on global energy governance and climate change response and step up renewable energy cooperation.

The remarks came at the 18th meeting of the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee, which was co-chaired by Han and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak via video link.

China and Russia should adhere to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, practice multilateralism and make the global energy governance system fairer and more inclusive, Han said.

Han noted energy cooperation has always been the most important, fruitful and wide-ranging area of China-Russia practical cooperation.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, bilateral energy trade has reached a new high, major cooperation projects have been advancing steadily and cooperation areas have been expanded, he said.

Han said he hopes the two countries will push for greater achievements in energy cooperation. 

China and Russia should give full play to the leading role of major strategic projects to further deepen nuclear energy cooperation and advance oil and gas pipeline construction, he said.

Han also urged the two countries to enhance coordinated cooperation along the upper, middle, and lower reaches in traditional energy, and gradually advance cooperation in areas like hydrogen energy, technological innovation and local currency settlement. 

Russia is ready to work with China to expand energy cooperation at a deeper level and in broader areas, promote all-round cooperation and push bilateral relations to a new level, Novak said.