China and Russia inked four agreements on energy cooperation on December 5.

Following the ninth energy negotiators meeting between the two countries, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on energy market assessment, a roadmap on cooperation in the coal sector and an agreement on electricity supply.

The documents were aimed at further enhancing energy cooperation between China and Russia.

During the meeting co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, the two sides agreed to start oil and natural gas cooperation following the principle of upstream and downstream integration.

They also agreed to further expand coal and power trade, undertake research on energy reservation and promote the application of renewable energy.

Since the establishment of the China-Russia energy negotiations in 2008, the two sides have held eight official meetings and two work meetings.

Cooperation between the two sides has been solid this year. For instance, the China-Russia crude oil pipeline is functioning smoothly. It is expected that China will import 15 million metric tons of crude oil from the neighboring country in 2012, said the Chinese National Energy Administration.