Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan co-hosted the sixth round of the Sino-Russian energy negotiators' meetings with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin in Tianjin Tuesday morning.

Noting the mechanism of the energy negotiators' meetings was set up by the two state leaders, Wang said the latest round was held to prepare for Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to China from September 26 to 28.

"I am ready to have candid and thorough discussions with you on bilateral energy cooperation," Wang told his counterpart during the meeting.

He said leaders of the two countries attached great importance to bilateral energy cooperation, adding the two sides had made great achievements within the framework of the meeting mechanism.

Sino-Russian ties were developing smoothly, as highlighted by increasing mutual political trust and closer practical cooperation, and faced important development opportunities, Wang said.

Wang and Sechin will attend a foundation-laying ceremony for the China-Russia Eastern Petrochemical (Tianjin) Oil Refinery Tuesday afternoon.

(Xinhua News Agency September 21, 2010)