Energy cooperation between Russia and China, which is an important part of their relations, has lately received significant development, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in his welcome message to participants in the 1st Russian-Chinese Energy Forum that opens in Beijing.
"The relations between the Russian Federation and People's Republic of China are on the rise," TASS cited Putin as saying. The head of state noted that the sphere of mutual interests of Russian and Chinese companies is expanding. This is "fully confirmed by an intensive and varied agenda of this forum, with questions pertaining to cooperation in the oil and gas and coal spheres, in electric power, in the sphere of investments, scientific-technological developments, as well as environmental protection," Putin noted.
The Russian president expressed confidence that participants in the forum - officials and representatives of leading energy companies - will hold comprehensive discussions and agree on new forms of cooperation.
