China denies reports to rent one million Russian forests
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-08-15 12:35
BEIJING -- A State Forestry Administration spokesman on
Tuesday denied a media report that China would rent one million hectares of
Russian forests to develop timber resources.
Cao Qingyao, the spokesman, said at a press conference held by the
Information Office of the State Council that the SFA "had not received any
official invitation from the Russian side."
Timber was an important part of world trade, and China and Russia could
cooperate in a range of areas when it comes to felling and processing forest
resources, he said.
In terms of technology, labor and resources, the two nations had
complementary advantages, Cao added.
He said China had joined with other countries to fell and process timber in
legal projects with cooperation from governments, state-owned enterprises and
private businesses.
China imported timber mainly from Russia, the United States, Indonesia,
Canada and Japan, Cao said.
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