ST. PETERSBURG — China and Russia should expand cooperation in fields such as energy, agriculture, high-speed railway, aviation, space, infrastructure and development of the Far East Region, said Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli on June 19.

In a speech delivered at the annual meeting of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Zhang said the two countries should further tap into the potential and expand their cooperation by adopting diverse perspectives.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli delivers a speech at the annual meeting of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 19, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

Zhang said the two countries should work hard to advance the integration of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the Eurasia Economic Union initiatives, promote integration of the regional economy so as to make contributions to the growth of world economy.

He emphasized that China and Russia are both important emerging economies. Strengthening bilateral cooperation is not only conducive to economic growth of the two countries, but also of great importance for the growth of regional and global economy.

Zhang is visiting Russia in preparation for the meetings between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin later this year.

Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli delivers a speech at the annual meeting of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, June 19, 2015.[Photo/Xinhua]

President Xi conducted a successful meeting with Putin in Moscow during his visit to Russia in May, drawing up the new future of friendly cooperation between the two countries and reaching new important consensus, said Zhang, who pointed out that the regular meetings between the heads of government of the two countries have also helped advance practical cooperation in all fields.

Russia is the first leg of Vice-Premier Zhang’s four-nation European tour, which will takes him to Lithuania, Serbia and Kazakhstan.