Premier Wen Jiabao says meeting is 'link between the past and future'

China and Russia on Thursday signed a number of agreements, with a focus on energy and trade, to boost cooperation as both countries are eyeing further growth against the backdrop of the global economic downturn.

The countries should further expand bilateral trade and realize the goal of $100 billion by 2015 at an early date, Premier Wen Jiabao said at the 17th regular meeting between Chinese and Russian prime ministers.