BEIJING - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called Tuesday for closer economic ties with China, saying the two countries share a lot of common interests.

"To gain more room in the international market, we need to make joint efforts to push our cooperation to a new high," Putin said in an interview with Chinese media after talks with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in Beijing.

Putin said the cooperation between China and Russia is "comprehensive and diversified", involving energy, finance, technology and machinery.

In terms of energy cooperation, Putin said Russia and China are cooperating not only in the supply of oil and natural gas, but also in joint exploration and exploitation.

Putin said Russia is also cooperating with China in nuclear energy.

"We are all aware of the tragedy of nuclear leaks in Fukushima, Japan. But it is impossible for such big countries as Russia and China to do without nuclear energy, so we cannot just shut down nuclear power plants," Putin said.

"The key is to improve the facilities through researches," he added.

Putin is making a two-day visit to China for the 16th regular meeting between the two countries' prime ministers.