BEIJING, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China-Russia relations are now both at their best in history and at the most important historical stage, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a recent interview with Russian media.

    Wen had an interview with Itar-Tass News Agency and Interfax News Agency in Beijing before making an official visit to Russia next week.

    During the interview, Wen said China-Russia relations have seen big and substantial changes since the two countries established a strategic cooperative partnership 10 years ago. The two countries have enhanced political mutual trust, greatly expanded trade and economic cooperation and enriched the content of strategic cooperative partnership by holding such cultural events as "Year of Russia" and "Year of China".

    Wen said the next decade will be an important historical period for both the evolution of the international situation and the development of China-Russia relations.

    "Therefore, my coming visit to Russia has special significance," Wen said.

    During the visit, Wen will exchange views with Russian leaders on bilateral relations and major international issues. The two sides will sign a series of important cooperative agreements.

    "I believe the coming visit will further push forward the development of China-Russia strategic cooperative partnership," Wen told resident Russian reporters in Beijing.

    Wen said the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in all fields, including trade, economy, science, technology, education and culture.

    Chinese premier: China, Russia to maintain mutual support on major issues

    China and Russia will continue to support each other on major issues of each other's concern and in each other's core interests, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a recent interview with Russian media.

    During the interview, Wen said China supports Russia in its efforts to safeguard state sovereignty and territorial integrity. China supports Russia in its pursuit of the development route that suits its own national conditions and to oppose interference from outside.

    Wen pointed out that the two countries should further enhance political mutual trust through exchanges between their leaders and cooperation at various levels and in various fields.

    He said China and Russia should have even closer cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization(SCO). The two countries should strengthen coordination within the SCO and push it toward becoming a substantially important mechanism for regional peace, stability, security and development.

    On strengthening the role of SCO, Wen said expanding regional economic cooperation and joining efforts for self-reliant growth is an effective solution for SCO member countries in their striving for development and to eradicate terrorism, separatism and extremism. It is an effective way for the people of SCO member countries to enjoy common peace and security, Wen said.

    Wen said China and Russia should step up cooperation in the United Nations and other major international organizations. Noting that China and Russia share common or similar views on almost all major international issues, Wen said the two countries should work together to promote global peace, development and democratization of international relations.

    Chinese premier: China to boost investment in Russia

    China is determined to encourage Chinese companies to expand business and invest in Russia, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a recent interview with Russian media.

    During the interview, Wen stressed the importance of trade and economic cooperation between China and Russia.

    China has set a target of boosting investment in Russia to a total of 12 billion U.S. dollars by 2020. Wen said Chinese companies have invested in a wide range of fields in Russia, including mining, energy, electricity, manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture, fishery and forestry.

    Wen said the two countries should strengthen cooperation not only in the energy sector, but also in the field of machinery and electronics. He said this requires a bigger role for the China-Russia Machinery and Electronics Product Council, which is to be officially unveiled in November. Wen said the council should be turned into a platform for bilateral cooperation in the field of machinery and electronics.

    Wen said the countries should also attach importance to cooperation on science, technology and environment protection. He called for the two countries to continuously open up new areas of cooperation.

    Wen said investment by Chinese companies will help push forward trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. Trade volume between China and Russia will probably exceed 40 billion U.S. dollars this year. The figure is expected to reach 80 billion U.S. dollars by 2020.

    "In respect of trade, (we) should not only increase the volume, but also improve trade structure and quality," Wen said.

    Wen expressed the belief that according to an investment protect agreement signed between the two countries, the Russian side will protect the lawful rights of Chinese companies and facilitate their investment.

    "We also welcome Russian companies to invest in China," Wen said.

    Chinese premier calls for accelerated Russian pipeline construction

    Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said in a recent interview with Russian media that relevant companies of the two countries should spare no time in implementing the projects of laying oil and natural gas pipelines extending from Russia to China.

    During the interview, Wen said these projects have been decided by both China and Russia on a mutually beneficial and win-win basis.

    Wen stressed that stepping up energy cooperation is an important consensus that has already been reached between China and Russia, adding that cooperation in this field has made good progress in recent years.

    Relevant government departments of the two countries have conducted effective communication and coordination. Energy companies of the two countries are discussing and implementing a series of major cooperative projects in such aspects as oil, natural gas, electricity and energy equipment manufacturing. China-Russia energy cooperation is seeing ever expanding scope and increasingly varied forms, Wen said.