MOSCOW, October 10 (RIA Novosti) - Ahead of his visit to Moscow, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang has urged Russia to step up innovation cooperation in a variety of spheres, from high-tech engineering to energy-saving tech.
"Innovation cooperation between China and Russia has become a glorious aspect of our partnership," Li Keqiang wrote in an op-ed published Friday in Russia's Rossiyskaya Gazeta daily.
"In this regard, it is important to create a new model of cooperation and expand… the share… of scientific and technological innovations," the Chinese official wrote.
According to Prime Minister Li, Moscow and Beijing could step up cooperation in such spheres as high-tech engineering, energy-saving technologies, environmental protection, biopharmaceutics, IT and finance.
He stressed that closer bilateral ties between the two countries in the field of science and technology could give a new impetus to a more comprehensive, strategic partnership and "use the advantage of excellent political relations to assure real benefits for our peoples," which Li said was the goal of his upcoming visit to Russia.
Li Keqiang's three-day trip to Moscow will last from October 12-14 and will be his first visit to the country since his appointment in March 2013.
In the wake of western sanctions against Russia's key economic sectors, Moscow has energized its technology cooperation and trade ties with China. Beijing is Russia's largest trade partner, with bilateral trade flows of $100 billion.
