Premier¹ Wen Jiabao left Beijing for Moscow yesterday afternoon to begin a three-day visit aimed at seeking further cooperation with Russia on oil and gas projects.

Wen will attend the 13th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian prime ministers, a mechanism² comprising three branches: the prime ministers' meeting, cultural cooperation and negotiations³ on energy resources.

Earlier, Russian Vice-Prime Minister Igor Sechin told reporters that Russia had drafted a plan for an oil pipeline⁴ from the Russian town of Skovorodino to the industrial city of Daqing in Northeast China, and that the two sides are discussing the details.

The countries are also discussing several gas projects, and considering others related to electricity and nuclear power, he said.

"All issues are under consideration, and we are ready for a detailed⁵ discussion," Sechin said. "Russia will carry out long-term and pragmatic cooperation with China in sectors⁶ like oil and gas, electricity and nuclear energy to seek tangible⁷ results,".

Wen and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin will today participate in the 3rd China-Russia Economic Forum⁸, at which Wen will give a speech. The two sides will also discuss the agenda for the Year of the Russian Language to be held in China next year. The two countries are expected to sign several agreements today on technology, trade and humanitarian⁹ issues.

On Friday, Wen will then fly to Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, to attend the 7th Prime Ministers' Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization member nations.

Questions:

1. How many days will Premier Wen be in Russia?

2. Which country will he visit after Russia?

3. What interesting cultural activity will take place in China next year?

Answers:

1. 3.

2. Kazakhstan.

3. The Year of the Russian Language.