China This Week: Sino-Russian Partnership; Cooperation With EU, Beijing Going to the Moon

China, Russia Talk Energy, Security, Finance:  China and Russia have issued a joint statement on strategic partnership in energy. 

The two sides pledged cooperation on crude oil, natural gas, coal, electric power, nuclear energy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy, and they looked for a quick consensus on the construction of the Sino-Russian natural gas pipeline. The two sides agreed to promote the development of coal mines, supported by railway and port construction, and to work together on trading of electric power and grid enhancement.

In a statement signed by Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Beijing and Moscow called on Asian and Pacific countries to step up efforts to maintain regional security and stability amid mounting threats and challenges in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both sides also agreed to expand bilateral financial cooperation, including mutual trading between the renminbi (RMB), the Chinese currency, and the ruble.

Chinese Premier Pledges to Support Euro:  Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao declared on Sunday, "China will not reduce its euro-bond holdings and China supports a stable euro. China is committed to advancing China-EU relations. This is not an expediency, but a long-term strategic policy." 

Wen called on the European Union to recognise China's full market economy status as soon as possible, ease restrictions on high-tech exports to China, and reject trade protectionism. 

China, Greece Sign 13 Deals:  China and Athens have agreed to further their strategic partnership as Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pays a three-day official visit to Greece, including talks with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou. It is the first trip by a Chinese premier to Greece since 1986. 

Wen and Papandreou attended the signing ceremony of 13 deals on areas such as maritime transportation, loans, telecommunications, exports, and cultural exchanges.

Premier Wen also announced a package of measures that China will take to help the sovereign debt-ridden European country. He said China will continue to "take positive attitude to participate in the purchase of Greece's new treasury bonds" and will increase imports. 

China's Moon Goal on Schedule:  A Long March 3-C launch vehicle, with Chang'e-2 on top, has lifted off from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan province.

The Chang'e-2 mission is considered "a starting point" of the second stage of China's lunar exploration program.

The probe plans to test technology in preparation for an unmanned moon landing in 2013.

China, Thailand Joint Anti-Terrorism Training:  Chinese and Thai special forces will hold a joint, two-week anti-terrorism training in October in a southern China city, China's Defense Ministry has said

This is the third exercise for the two countries since 2007.

China Pledges Ties to New North Korean Leadership:  Chinese President Hu Jintao said Saturday that the Communist Party of China will enhance communication and coordination with the new leadership of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in international and regional affairs.

Hu was meeting a senior delegation from the DPRK's ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

China, Cuba pledge to further enhance ties:  Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said that China will strengthen cooperation with Cuba to strengthen cooperation and promote bilateral relations on Thursday.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, who was in China to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Cuba relations.

China, ASEAN Talks on South China Sea:  China and southeast Asian countries have begun discussions to hammer out a stronger code of conduct aimed at preventing South China Sea territorial disputes from erupting into armed conflict.

In a press briefing, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Liu Jianchao said a draft code of conduct is being negotiated by the parties at the working level: "They have worked on some of the outlines of the document and I think that consultations are still going on."

China to Strengthen Protection of Marine Environment:  China's State Oceanic Administration (SOA) released a manifesto to advance the construction of marine nature reserves in a bid to protect endangered species and relics under the sea.

The SOA promised to enlarge the overall marine nature reserves to 3% of the country's marine territories by the year 2015 and 5% by 2020.

Currently only 1.12% of the country's marine territories are listed as marine nature reserves.

Sudan, China cooperate in first bioenergy project:  Sudan, in cooperation with China, launched its first bioenergy project in White Nile State on Monday.

The project, implemented by Chinese Xing Ye Company and located in Tabat area, White Nile State, about 220 miles south of Khartoum, includes 25 units that can convert animal wastes into light.