China's dep premier to attend Russia-Chinese energy dialogue in

BEIJING, May 26 (Itar-Tass) -- China's deputy prime minister Wang
Qishan will visit Russia from May 30 to June 3 to take part in a next
round of the Russian-Chinese energy dialogue, spokeswoman for the Chinese
Foreign Ministry Zyan Yui told a news briefing on Thursday.
"China's deputy prime minister Wang Qishan will pay a visit to Russia
from May 30 to June 3 at the invitation of Russian deputy prime minister
Igor Sechin. During his stay in Russia, Wang Quishan will take part in the
seventh round of the Russian-Chinese energy dialogue," the spokeswoman
said.
"As for individual problems the two countries' companies are facing,
these problems are of technical character," the spokeswoman said when
asked if disagreement between Russian and Chinese companies over oil
supplies might delay the energy dialogue between the two countries. "The
governments of our countries have already urged relevant companies to
settle their controversies based on principles of equality and mutual
concessions."
"Energy cooperation between Russia and China is mutually beneficial,"
he stressed.
Disputes between the parties have arisen around prices for oil
supplies. According to a statement Russia's Transneft oil major made late
in April, the Chinese party unilaterally reduced its contract payments
over disagreement with a pricing formula parameter.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko was reported as saying Russia
was not interested in the escalation of the conflict between Transneft and
China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
"I hope no lawsuit will follow. I met with the Chinese ambassador to
say that it is necessary to reach a consensus. It would not be good if the
matter is brought to court. But from the point of view of law, the Russian
side's position is impeccable," the minister said. "I also told the
ambassador it was inadmissible to make our relations of strategic
partnership depend on positions of individual companies."