Relationships between China and Russia are set to reach new heights during the next two years with the advent of the Russian Year in China (2006) and the Chinese Year in Russia (2007). Russian Ambassador to China Sergey Razov shared his views with Beijing Review about this development in bilateral relations between the two giant neighbors.
　　Beijing Review: This year will witness several bilateral activities in China, such as the Russian Year, the Sino-Indian Friendship Year, as well as the Italian Culture Year. Is there any special significance to the Russian Year in China?
　　Sergey Razov: We are well aware of the various activities in China, and we are attentively studying the experience of the Italian Culture Year and Sino-Indian Friendship Year. The events, as well as the Russian Year in China and the Chinese Year in Russia, go far beyond the framework of purely cultural actions in terms of scales and multi-dimensional nature. This is an unprecedented complex project between our two countries. The event covers all areas related to Russian-Chinese relations, such as politics, the economy, trade and investment, science and technology, information, public health, culture, military cooperation and interregional connections. Dozens of measures will be taken to boost our bilateral relations. The primary purpose of the event is for our two peoples to learn from each other.
　　
　　What are your comments on the current bilateral relations of the two countries?
　　The leaders of our countries attach great importance to bilateral relations, which are currently at the highest level in history. The framework of bilateral relations has already been fixed in our governmental agreements of good-neighborliness, friendliness and cooperation. We have formulated developing approaches of our two countries in light of the changing international situations.
　　Last year, we held our first joint military maneuvers. The border question has been finally resolved, and for the first time in history we reached agreements to legally designate our borders. All these became possible because of deepening mutual trust.
　　The trade between our two countries has grown rapidly in recent years, with the volume exceeding $29 billion in 2005. Meanwhile, exchanges in the humanitarian area are also booming.
　　Another fast-developing sector is tourism. The number of tourists crossing the border is measured in millions, with Russian visitors in China ranking third after the Japanese and South Koreans.
　　Against this backdrop, top leaders of Russia and China made the decision to launch the Russian Year in China this year and the Chinese Year in Russia in 2007. I am sure that it will greatly boost our connections in all fields and improve the quality of bilateral relations.
　　
　　Are there any follow-up activities after the Chinese Year of 2007?
　　In 2004, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed on the plan to boost our relationship, friendship and cooperation up to 2008. This is an important and comprehensive document facing the medium-term prospect, which outlined the common purposes and tasks in the political, economic, humanitarian and other fields. It also pointed out the concrete measures in deepening mutual confidence, strengthening commercial and economic cooperation, and expanding contacts in the humanitarian and other areas. This plan is successfully and consecutively carried out as a whole.
　　
　　What are your views on the issue of energy cooperation between the two countries?
　　Energy cooperation is one of the most important parts in the Russian-Chinese strategic partnership. In recent years, the volume of crude oil delivered from Russia to China has increased annually. In 2006, we plan to raise the railway delivery volume to 15 million tons.
　　In the context of the agreed construction of an oil pipeline from East Siberia to the Pacific Ocean, the authorized companies of Trans-Oil and China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) discussed technological and economic issues of the possible construction of a sub-pipeline from Skovorodino to China’s border.
　　Meanwhile, we are developing cooperation between companies of our two countries in joint tapping natural gas in East Siberia and the Far East.
　　Great potential exists in cooperation in natural gas development. I want to mention that Gazprom has been selected by the Russian Government to be the coordinator of all natural gas export projects. I hope the following commercial negotiations can be successful so that we can sign related governmental agreements and move to the next step of large-scale gas supply.
　　The specific work for the implementation of the agreement on long-term cooperation between the Unified Energy System in Russia and State Economic & Trade Commission of China initiated on July 1, 2005 has been accomplished. Russia will supply electric energy to China according to the latter’s demands through the existing energy transport channels as well as new ones under construction. The construction of the first electric power transport channel at the regional level has already began.
　　The construction of the first phase of the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, the largest Russian-Chinese project, laid a solid basis for further development of interaction in the peaceful utilization of atomic energy. The Chinese Government has approved its proposed strategy of developing atomic power for energy. Russia, as the nearest neighbor and strategic partner of China with plenty of experience in this area, is ready to take an active part in China’s implementation of this program. We are confident that this program is mutually beneficial and has a promising future.
　　
　　The number of Chinese students in Russia has increased 10-fold compared with a decade ago. Are there any measures at the governmental level to strengthen cooperation in this field?
　　Actually, a total of 13,000 Chinese students are currently studying in Russia. This number is even larger than that of Chinese students studying in the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Russia’s education is traditionally known for its accessibility and high standard.
　　The related subcommittee is the basic coordination mechanism between Russia and China in the education sector. The education departments of Russia and China signed a 2005-08 higher education cooperative program in 2004, which is also being successfully carried out. Both sides are striving for the objective of sending 500 university students annually to study abroad through state cooperation by 2008.
　　China and Russia have each chosen 10 colleges and universities to dispatch and receive students from each other. Besides, we have signed a government agreement on Chinese language studies in Russia and Russian language studies in China.
　　
　　Owing to our active measures, a postgraduate class, jointly initiated by the Far Eastern National University in Russia and Heilongjiang University in China, held its opening ceremony in Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province in northeast China. The class is expected to enroll both PhDs and master’s degree holders.
　　
　　Joint military maneuvers were successfully held last year. It is reported that a larger-scale military maneuver will be held among China, Russia and India this year. Could you please comment on this?
　　The military maneuvers carried out in 2005 actually have become the most important and significant milestone in our relations. Troops from both armies illustrated their high-level skills and coordination despite language barriers and different training methods. As far as a follow-up exercise is concerned, this is the prerogative of the military departments, who will present the appropriate proposals to heads of the states.
　　As China’s close neighbor, how do you regard China’s development? Do you see it a threat?
　　Russians are glad to see the enormous success of a friendly China. China has greatly improved the living standard of a large quantity of its population, especially urban dwellers.
　　At the same time, Chinese leaders are aware that a large majority of its population is not well off, and many social and ecological problems still exist. Chinese leaders need to resolve all these problems in the coming years.
　　We would like to see new success for our Chinese friends, since we understand that China’s dynamic development and increase of its people’s living standard are the key prerequisites of internal stability and social development. We do not compete with China. Each country should individually solve its own problems.
　　
　　As a state neighbor and strategic partner, we see numerous possibilities and potential for mutually beneficial cooperation. For example, we are seriously thinking about how to conduct interaction in the implementation of the strategic program in the development of our Far East region and the northeastern region of China.
　　It is a fact that some groups still inflate the “China threat.” Regretably, some Russian media also hold such viewpoints. The Russian Foreign Ministry is making efforts to clarify the rumors. Meanwhile, we will show the public the real situation of China through our concrete measures.
　　
　　The situation concerning the Songhuajiang River pollution late last year showed how important it is to cooperate in sharing information in case of emergencies. How can cooperation be strengthened in this area?
　　No country can fully avoid natural disasters or emergencies, including discharging harmful gas into the natural environment. In this regard, we accentuate the need for larger transparency and effectiveness in timely information exchanges.
　　When Songhuajiang was polluted, we supported establishing emergent information channels for specialists from environmental protection departments of the two countries and between local authorities.
　　The incident was a common disaster for us, and it was necessary for us to fight together.
　　As you know, China invited our specialists to jointly analyze water samples, and freely supplied active carbon and monitoring equipment.
　　I would divide the problem into two aspects, responsibilities and efforts in fighting against the pollution. In the wider vision, I think, this is a lesson for the future. Russia and China have a long border and numerous trans-border rivers, which should attract our joint concerns. In particular, both countries should make efforts to protect our trans-border rivers.

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