Source:

11-09-2006 18:26

Lately, the relations between Russia and China have acquired a new intense character. Growing trust in military sphere, successful expansion of economic and trade cooperation, essential development in the fields of culture and art, education, sports and tourism speak to this fact. The main features of Russian-Chinese relations are consolidated in the Agreement of Friendship and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China signed by the heads of the two states on July 16, 2001. Partnership and further interaction of our countries are successfully developing, accumulating new meaning and active intercourse at different levels. As a confirmation, President V.V.Putin signed on June 24, 2005 the Decree № 277-рп about carrying out the Year of the Russian Federation in the People’s Republic of China in 2006, and the Year of the People’s Republic of China in the Russian Federation in 2007. This Decree has also stated the members of the organizational committee. The Head of the Committee is D.A.Medvedev, Head of Presidential Administration.

The first persons of the two countries, and practically all the structures of official power and the most significant representatives of business circles will participate in this giant project which will carry out its activities throughout the years 2006-2007 on the territories of Russia and China.

At the negotiations that took place on December 8, 2005 in the Great Hall of the People, the governments of the two states discussed the questions of carrying out «The Year of Russia» in China and «The Year of China» in Russia. In the framework of the coming Year of Russia in China it is planned to hold «over 200 events at different levels and on different territories, from Beijing to the Chinese provinces». As reported by Itar-Tassthis has been announced to the Russian journalists by First Deputee Prime Minister of RF Dmitry Medvedev in the issue of his meeting with the Chairman Hu Jintao.

The Year of Russia in China and the Year of China in Russia will become «extraordinary events which underline the strategic partnership of the two countries and the desire to better inform one another about their life and culture», said to the journalists on December 8, 2005 Eleonora Mitrofanova, Head of the Russian Center for International Scientific and Cultural Cooperation at MFA RF.

The projects presented by Russia cover not only the cultural field but also many other sides of social life: politics, economy, trade, industry, science. A large number of people are supposed to participate in these activities for they are aimed at different population groups.

On December 23, 2005, Sergei Razov, Russian ambassador to China, together with (Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Li Hui, presented the emblem of the Year of Russia in China. Chinese panda and Russian brown bear have become the symbols of the Year of Russia.

One of the most significant events of the coming Year will be the visit of the President Vladimir Putin to China on March 21-22, 2006, at the invitation of the Chairman Hu Jintao. As reported by the Russian Presidential press service, «In course of this visit there will be an official opening ceremony of the Year of Russia in China with the participation of the leaders of both countries; negotiations will be held concerning the basic questions of bilateral relations and the world situation. The representative Russian-Chinese Business Forum in Beijing in which V.V.Putin and Hu Jintao will take part is timed for this summit».

On the whole, the Year of Russia in China is organized to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries, to show to the Chinese people all the variety of Russian culture, its customs and traditions, and to lay the foundation for the development of new Russian-Chinese relations.

Source: www.russianchinafest.ru

 

Editor:Lu Yuying