BEIJING — Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli met with Russian natural gas company Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller on Feb 15, calling for steady development of bilateral energy cooperation.

Zhang said China and Russia should conduct further research on the west-route gas pipeline and the Far East gas supply projects adhering to the principle of shared benefits and risks, and expand cooperation in natural-gas-burning power generation, underground gas storage, engine fuel and other areas.

He called on both sides to ensure the success of major projects like the China-Russia crude oil trade and increased crude supply, east-route gas pipeline project and the Yamal liquefied natural gas (LNG) project.

Recent years have witnessed continuous achievements in energy cooperation including in natural gas field between China and Russia under the strategic guidance of the two countries’ top leaders, said Zhang.

For his part, Miller said Russia viewed China as an important energy cooperation partner.

Russia is willing to work with China on the current projects and explore new areas of cooperation so as to jointly lift the energy cooperation partnership to a new high, he said.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli (R) meets with Russian natural gas company Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller in Beijing, China, Feb 15, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]