Russia and China have signed new trade deals in metals, mining, and oil worth a total $4 billion. The 21 contracts include an agreement by state-controlled Russian oil company Rosneft to supply jet fuel to China as well as long-term export contracts for Russian steel products.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao oversaw the deals today on the second day of the Chinese president's visit to Russia.
Earlier today, Putin and Hu opened a large Chinese trade fair in Moscow.
Nearly 200 Chinese companies are showcasing their products at the fair, said to be China's biggest ever in a foreign country.
"The products exhibited here represent [China's] most significant achievements and provide a truly unique opportunity to get acquainted with the successes of China's policy of reform and openness," Putin said at the trade fair.
"We find particularly interesting those sections dedicated to innovative and information technologies, aviation, space industry, nuclear energy, as well as China's achievements in electronics, machine-building and other areas," Putin added.
Hu's visit is aimed at cementing growing economic and political ties. After talks on March 26, the two presidents pledged to further develop energy cooperation and also reiterated their aligned positions on Iran and North Korea's nuclear programs.
Later today, Hu, who is on a three-day visit, travels to Russia's oil rich republic of Tatarstan.
Copyright (c) 2006. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. www.rferl.org
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