Senior Chinese and Russian officials pledged to push forward the two countries' energy cooperation during a high-level energy negotiators' meeting on Sunday.

"During this conference... we exchanged views and reached consensus on strengthening bilateral cooperation in oil and gas, nuclear energy and electricity," said Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, commenting on the talks with his Russian counterpart Igor Sechin.

Wang suggested that the China-Russia energy cooperation cover all sectors including oil and gas, nuclear energy and electricity, be market-oriented and based on the principle of benefiting both sides.

Hailing the booming Chinese-Russian political and economic ties, Wang said the two countries' energy negotiation mechanism will help expand and deepen the long-term and steady energy cooperation.

Sechin, for his part, said the energy negotiation mechanism promoted bilateral energy cooperation to a new level as related government agencies and enterprises have done a lot to stimulate cooperation since the first energy negotiators' meeting.

"Russia will carry out long-term and pragmatic cooperation with China in sectors like oil and gas, electricity and nuclear energy to seek tangible results and promote the bilateral energy cooperation to a new stage," he said.

The senior officials also discussed preparation works for the upcoming regular meeting between Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

(Xinhua News Agency October 27, 2008)