MOSCOW, May 19, 3:58 /ITAR-TASS/. Russia and China are finalizing the preparation of agreements on deliveries of gas to the People's Republic of China (PRC), Russian President Vladimir Putin told China's leading media in an interview.

"Accords on the export of Russia's natural gas to China are in a high degree of preparedness," the President said ahead of his visit to the PRC.

"To Russia, their implementation will signify diversification of pipeline transportation routes for the supply of gas and will enable our Chinese partners to abate the acuteness of problems of energy shortages and environmental safety resultant of the use of 'clean' fuel," the Head of State said.

Putin referred to cooperation with China in the energy sector as successful. "We move successively to the formation of a strategic energy alliance," he pointed out.

The President also recalled that the two countries implement a large-scale project worth more than $60 billion for deliveries of crude oil to China via the Skovorodino-Mohe pipeline.

Developing the Far East

Russia is interested in Chinese businesses' participation in developing the Far East, Putin said.

"We are, certainly, interested in Chinese business's availing itself of the opportunities and be among the leaders there, for an accelerated development of the Far East is of benefit to both Russia and China," the President said.

Putin emphasized that it is important for the two countries not only to maintain trade. "It is essential to form strong technological, industrial alliances, attract investments to the infrastructure and the energy sector, jointly advance research and humanitarian contacts, and lay a solid foundation of sustainable development of our trade-and-economic relations in the long term," he pointed out.

"In the process, the Far East can and must become a natural platform for the application of these efforts," the President believes.

Putin recalled that an accelerated socio-economic development of Siberia and the Far East has been designated as "one of chief national priorities of Russia in the 21st century" and that a whole package of programmes, connected with modernization and enlargement of the infrastructure of the regions, are being implemented.

"Emphasis is laid on the establishment of special territories for a priority economic development, in which an auspicious environment will be formed to attract investments, ensure competitive conditions for organizing export-oriented non-primary sector production plants," the Head of State explained.

Putin stressed, "Provision is made for a number of substantial privileges for new enterprises located in priority development areas." "These are 'holidays' as regards a whole lot of taxes, reduced rates of insurance premia, lightened customs regulations, including free customs zones, a special procedure for land tenure, and and connection to infrastructure facilities," the President enumerated.

"At present, a respective Federal law is being optimized, development institutions are being brought into being, and promising sites are being selected," he pointed out.

Putin said, "One of them will be in Vladivostok, on the Russkiy (Russian) Island which was the venue of the APEC summit in 2012.