CHINA: MIKHAIL KASYANOV BEGINS VISIT

(3 Nov 2000) Russian/Nat

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov met with Chinese leaders on Friday, beginning a two-day visit expected to focus on promoting closer energy and transportation links between the two countries.

At a welcoming ceremony in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, Kasyanov and Chinese premier Zhu Rongji strode before a military colour guard before convening for talks.

The Russian prime minister plans to speak with Zhu and other leaders about a series of proposed joint construction projects.

According to Chinese and Russian press reports these include pipelines to deliver natural gas and oil from Siberia to China and roads near the Russo-Chinese border.

They will also discuss Russian participation in Chinese plans to build a nuclear power plant and Chinese use of a Russian satellite navigation system.

Before leaving Beijing on Saturday, Kasyanov is expected also to meet with Chinese President Jiang Zemin and legislative head Li Peng.

SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin)
"Our talks today involved various fields. I believe we have reached common agreement on all the issues we discussed."
SUPER CAPTION: Zhu Rongji, Chinese Premier

SOUNDBITE: (Russian)
"Our talks are really conducted in the constructive and open atmosphere and we achieved a lot in both small scale talks and large scale talks. I think the most important achievement we reached today is that both sides are really willing to attach more importance on our economic exchanges."
SUPER CAPTION: Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov

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