At the meeting with scientists on Saturday, Ven Tsiabao noted that he thinks high of the level of Russian science. "At this meeting I would like to learn what you think of, first, the development of Russian-Chinese scientific cooperation and, second, how China should develop science and technology", he said.
Ven Tsiabao noted that at this meeting he "again felt like a university student". He said that when at the archaeology department he learnt from Russian textbooks. "This effected my choice of specialisation", the Chinese premier said.
He takes interest in the latest achievements of Russian science, including the important superconductivity and superfluidity strides, synthesis of new chemical elements complementing the Mendeleev Table of Elements. "I still remember the Mendelev Table by heart. I know that it develops with the addition of new elements. Russian scientists do an important share", he said.
In Moscow the State Council premier was received by President Vladimir Putin, had talks with Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov and a meeting with Sergei Mironov, chairman of the Federation Council.
During the Kremlin visit, the Russian president voiced the intention to visit China in October. Putin and Ven Tsiabao gave a high assessment of the present level of bilateral relations, discussed the completion of the Russian-Chinese talks on mutual access to the markets in view of Russia's upcoming acceding to the World Trade Organisation.
As regards the state of bilateral economic contacts, the Chinese premier proposed that Russian-Chinese trade turnover may this year exceed 20 billion dollars (Russia hopes for 17 to 20 billion).
Within the visit, the State Council premier gave resolute backing to the efforts of the Russian leadership against terrorism. Ven Tsiabao said that China is going to strengthen antiterrorist cooperation with Russia.
The agreements reached during the Ven Tsiabao visit acquire a special importance since the 55th anniversary of establishing Russian-Chinese diplomatic relations is marked on October 2. On Saturday the premier of the Chinese State Council will end his Moscow visit and fly to Beijing.
