China and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding Tuesday
that could lead to an annual dialogue between the finance ministers
of the two countries in an effort to boost bilateral economic
cooperation.
Under the memorandum of understanding, the finance ministers of
the two countries will meet once a year. Each country will host the
meeting on alternate years.
According to the memorandum, which was signed Tuesday in Beijing
by Chinese Finance Minister Jin
Renqing and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, other
government departments may be invited to join in the meeting of
finance ministers if necessary.
The topics of discussion will include the macro-economic
situation in the two countries, their fiscal policies, financial
reform and cooperation in the international financial sector,
according to the document. The Chinese Ministry
of Finance did not indicate when the first meeting will take
place, saying the dialogues will be launched at the right time.
China and Russia are globally significant and their economies
share sound basis for cooperation, according to the memo.
Strengthening bilateral dialogue is not only conducive to the
development of China and Russia's strategic partnership, but is
also important to the stability and development of the world
economy, said the memo.
(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2006)
