"Moscow-Beijing Week" kicked off in Beijing yesterday, bringing
with it many flavors of Russia's capital.
As part of the "Year of Russia in China" the week-long event is
aiming to enhance mutual understanding and bring classical stage
performances, scientific achievements and business delegations to
Beijing, organizers said at a press conference yesterday.
"This is the largest ever exchange in cultural and economic ties
between the two cities since the friendship-city relationship was
established in 1995," said Zhao Huimin, deputy director of the
Foreign Affairs Office of Beijing.
Traditional Russian style singing and dancing shows by Russia's
first-class performers will be given both in an opera house and the
open air at the weekend.
The event was organized by the Foreign Affairs Office of
Beijing, Beijing Municipal Government and counterparts from
Moscow.
Some 249 delegates, led by Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov, have
arrived in Beijing for talks on trade, scientific research,
education and healthcare.
On March 21 this year, when Russian President Vladimir Putin
visited Beijing and inaugurated the "Year of Russia in China,"
Luzhkov met Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan and discussed "Moscow-Beijing
Week."
"People from the two sides have seen growth in trade and
economic cooperation in recent years and we hope it will go much
deeper and wider," said Isaev Alexander, press officer of the
Embassy of the Russian Federation.
(China Daily June 14, 2006)
