Strategic partnership gets boost

　　China and Russia will sign a series of agreements to expand their bilateral cooperation in the fields of science and technology later this year, giving more substance to their strategic partnership.

　　"Science and technology will play an even more important role in Sino-Russian exchanges and cooperation," Shang Yong, vice-minister of science and technology, said at a press conference during the China National Exhibition, which ended yesterday in Moscow.

　　During the exhibition, China showcased, among others, its scientific research results and state-of-the-art technologies in the areas of electronic information, biological technology, electronic engineering, energy saving, environmental protection, bio-medicine and medical equipment.

　　Products included super-computers, robots, high-definition LED color displays and medical ultra-sound devices.

　　All the research results and products will help lift the countries' exchanges in scientific and technological sectors to higher levels, Shang said.

　　According to Shang, a series of activities have been scheduled for the coming months, providing opportunities for Chinese and Russian scientists, engineers and other researchers to meet and compare notes in areas ranging from laser, energy to oceanology, aerospace and the environment.

　　Young people from both countries will also meet to exchange research and experiment results.

　　Meanwhile, both Chinese and Russian business and industrial representatives in the machinery, aerospace, finance, metallurgy, hi-tech, information, communication, transportation and agriculture sectors met this week in Moscow to offer their ideas on how to cooperate to increase investment and quickly transfer research results into production, especially in the areas of machinery manufacturing and engineering.

　　President Hu Jintao wrapped up his visit to Russia and arrived back in Beijing yesterday.

　　Before leaving Russia, Hu visited Kazan, capital of Russia's Tatarstan republic, and called for China and Russia to further enhance their cooperation at a regional level, which he deemed a promising and important part of the strategic cooperation between the two countries.

　　The Chinese president visited Kazan State University one of the oldest universities in Russia, and the Kazan Helicopter Plant on Wednesday.