Russia and China satisfied with bilateral cooperation

Russia and China are satisfied with successful results in the trade,economic and humanitarian spheres that have been reached after the sixthregular meeting of the countries' heads of the governments, a jointcommunique released by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov and Premierof Chinese State Council Zhu Rongji after the seventh regular meeting ofRussian and Chinese PMs states.The document points out that the parties intend to continue their effortsaimed at protecting state sovereignty. In particular, the Russian partyconfirmed its support to China's position concerning Taiwan and Tibet. Inits turn, China supports Russia's struggle against Chechen terrorists.Moreover, the parties defined tasks in the trade and economic cooperationthat should be solved in the near-term perspective. It concerns favorableconditions for traditional exports and imports and the improvement of thetrade's structure by increasing the share of high technology products,machine building and electronics. It is also planned to begin bilateralcooperation in the sphere of civilian atomic programs, to developscientific and technological cooperation and to broaden contacts betweenthe central and commercial banks of Russia and China.The document also stresses that the support of global strategic stability,arms control and the non-proliferation of weapons meet interests of the twocountries. The heads of the governments admitted the necessity to increaseinternational cooperation in the struggle against terrorism, in accordancewith international law.The next meeting of the Russian and Chinese heads of the governments isplanned to take place in Russia in 2003..