Fight on terrorism will top Wen's agenda in Russia
The nations share common ground as victims of direct attacks, says minister
Regional co-operation against terrorism will be high on the agenda when Premier Wen Jiabao travels to Russia and Kyrgyzstan next week, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
The premier was scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders of state at a meeting of the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO), which included Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan.
'China and Russia are both direct victims of international terrorism ... Therefore, we have the same position and stance in fighting terrorism,' Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui told a press briefing yesterday.
'During this visit, the fight against terrorism will be on the agenda when Premier Wen meets Russian leaders,' Mr Li said.
Mr Wen would visit Moscow after attending the third round of the SCO prime ministerial meetings in Bishkek.
Mr Li said strengthening security co-operation in the aftermath of the Beslan school siege in Russia would top the agenda of the SCO meeting.
'In face of the Beslan attack ... I believe it is the wish and the requests of SCO members to step up co-operation in the security arena, and join hands in fighting the threats of terrorism to our region,' he said.
When asked why Beijing considered itself a 'direct victim' of international terrorism, Mr Li said the mainland faced a threat from hostile forces in East Turkestan, which 'were engaged in a large number of terrorist activities in central Asia'.
He cited assassinations and attacks against mainland diplomats and aid workers abroad in recent years.
Co-operation over energy policies would also be a key topic during Mr Wen's visit to Moscow.
Mr Li said Beijing was awaiting a decision from Moscow on the route for an oil pipeline between the two countries.
'Recently, we have received various kinds of information that shows Russia will stick to the decision [to build the pipeline],' he said.
Earlier reports suggested the mainland was competing with Japan for priority access to the pipeline, which Beijing hoped would be linked its oil refining facilities in Daqing . The mainland now imports Russian oil by rail.
Mr Li said Mr Wen would sign a joint communique in Moscow and declined to give details about other bilateral agreements.
He said Mr Wen would also lay the groundwork for a summit between Mr Putin and President Hu Jintao , to be held in Beijing next month.
Mr Li said Mongolia's new prime minister, Tsakhia Elbegdorj, had been invited to attend the SCO meeting as an observer, but had yet to reply.
