Russia and China closer and closer

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, together with a Russian business delegation, has sealed over five billion dollars in deals with China on energy, infrastructure and space exploration. The lucrative agreements are the outcome of talks with China's leaders in Beijing Russia Today reports.

In terms of security cooperation, the two countries agreed to notify one another on any launches of ballistic missiles. Both Russia and China are permanent members of the UN Security Council and are big players when it comes to negotiations with Iran and North Korea, so talks on those issues took place on the sidelines of the major deals.

Major gas deal

The foundation has been set for a future pipeline which, when built, will bring up to 70 billion cubic meters of gas a year from Russia to China, according to Aleksey Miller, Russia's gas giant Gazprom CEO. Preliminary agreements have been already signed.

"We have agreed on the initial framework for supplying China with natural gas," Miller said.

"According to the agreements, the price of the gas will be determined by a special formula included into the future contract. It will be based on existing international practice."

Prime Minister Putin expressed confidence that the talks on gas deliveries will end fruitfully.

"What type will these deliveries be like? Pipeline gas or liquefied gas? These questions and problems should be settled at a corporate level, as well as price tags," Putin stated.

According to the premier, "this is a live texture of economic relations."

The prime minister added that:

"Another thing is important - there are requirements, and there are opportunities to work with each other. In this sense, the Russian and Chinese economies supplement each other. This work is planned for many decades."

"Cultural ties meant to strengthen trust"

One of the most interesting main points the Russian prime minister noted was about how cultural ties can make things work between the two countries.

"I think cultural cooperation between Russia and China is absolutely necessary to strengthen our economic, military and political ties. It's the basis for the most important thing - trust between the two sides. Without trust we cannot develop relations in any sphere."

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