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| ST. Petersburg celebrates its 300th anniversary |
| CCTV.COM 2003-06-01 14:06:48 |
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On Saturday, Chinese President Hu Jintao and some 40 national leaders and honored guests attended various festive activities to celebrate St. Petersburg's 300th anniversary. The city was Russia's former imperial capital. It was founded by Czar Peter the Great as Russia's window to the West.
Speaking at a ceremony, Vladimir Putin said the celebrations provided an opportunity for many national leaders to meet personally, and created conditions for cooperation in the fields of culture, arts and science.
The Russian President said he believes the gathering is conducive to strengthening the friendship and mutual trust between peoples of different countries.
The world leaders attended a ceremony to open the re－created amber chamber in the ornate Catherine Palace in Tsarskoye Selo outside St. Petersburg. It has been 60 years since Nazi troops dismantled the extravagantly jeweled Amber Room.
On Saturday evening, Putin's guests joined him on the bank of river Neva for a elaborate water show, featuring fountains, and sailboats that glided over the water.
Following these and other extravagant celebrations, US President George W. Bush and Putin are due to hold talks early on Sunday.
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Editor: Xiao Wei CCTV.com
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