Premier Wen Jiabao will discuss possible Chinese plans to invest up to US$12 billion (euro 9.8 billion) in Russian energy industries during a visit to Moscow this week, a Hong Kong newspaper with close ties to Beijing said Tuesday. The report came as energy-hungry China appealed to Moscow to see that oil giant Yukos meets commitments to Chinese customers, after the troubled Russian company suspended some exports. During his three-day visit starting Thursday, Wen will discuss bilateral issues with Russian leaders, and Moscow's bid to enter the World Trade Organization, the Wen Wei Po newspaper said. It didn't give a source for the information. "The two countries might also reach agreement that by 2020, China will invest US$12 billion in Russia's energy resources and infrastructure," the newspaper said, without giving more details. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan said he could not confirm the report. "China and Russia will conduct cooperation in various areas, including energy, and the two sides will take active measures to expand cooperation _ including the increase of investment," Kong said at a regular news briefing. Wen's trip includes a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and talks on anti-terrorism cooperation and other key issues, Chinese officials said.
