China and Russia should be friendly partners promoting
humanistic cooperation between the two countries through reciprocal
theme years, President Hu Jintao said Monday.
The relevant departments of the Chinese and Russian governments
have put forward a lot of programs designed to expand cooperation
in culture, education, health-care, sports and tourism, Hu said in
a five-point proposal made during talks with his Russian
counterpart Vladimir Putin.
During Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005, China and Russia
agreed to launch the "Year of China" in Russia this year. Various
activities held during the "Year of Russia" in China last year drew
more than 500,000 Chinese.
Significant progress was made in the development of Sino-Russian
relations in 2006, when the two countries celebrated the 10th
anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic
partnership of cooperation and the first "Year of Russia" was held
in China, Hu said.
Putin said the reciprocal theme years held in the two nations
have played a constructive role in promoting economic and cultural
exchanges between the two countries.
President Hu arrived in Moscow earlier in the day for a
three-day state visit. Hu and Putin attended the opening ceremony
of the "Year of China" in Russia, and the Chinese president will
also meet other Russian leaders and attend activities marking the
"Year of China."
On Tuesday, the two leaders will also attend the opening
ceremony of a Chinese national exhibition in Moscow, one of the 200
events planned throughout the "Year of China" in Russia and the
biggest comprehensive show China has held outside the country in
almost three decades.
There will also be a cultural festival, a business forum and an
investment conference.
(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2007)
