China, Russia stress co-op on flood control, disaster relief

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday stressed close cooperation on flood control and disaster relief as devastating floods struck China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang.

During a telephone conversation, Li said that China and Russian have conducted timely and effective cooperation in the face of the devastating floods in the Heilongjiang River, which has played an important role in ensuring the security of people's life as well as in flood prevention and disaster relief.

China stands ready to keep close contact and coordination with Russia so as to further strengthen cooperation on flood monitoring, exchanges of early warning information and rescue operations, Li said.

The Chinese premier voiced hope that Russia will exploit the advantage of its upstream reservoir to chop the flood peak and scale down the floods.

And China is willing to offer necessary help with Russia's disaster relief in a concerted effort to battle the floods and ensure the tranquility of people of both countries living in the Heilongjiang River (known in Russia as the Amur) valley, Li said.

Medvedev, for his part, said that Russia-China cooperation on disaster prevention and relief has demonstrated an elevated level of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Russia is ready to further strengthen cooperation with China in flood control and disaster relief operations, he said.

The two premiers also exchanged views on the 18th regular meeting between the two heads of government and other issues of common concerns.