Hu Jintao, Putin participate in opening ceremony of "Year of China" in Russia

Source: Xinhuanet | 03-27-2007 08:25

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the opening ceremony of the "Year of China" in Moscow, March 26, 2007. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)

MOSCOW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin participated in the opening ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia in the Kremlin Monday evening.

The two heads of state vowed to take the chance of the event to further promote the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation in all aspects.

Addressing the opening ceremony of this theme year, which is a reciprocal event of the "Year of Russia" in China last year, Hu hailed the history and achievements of Russia and its people as well as the friendship between the two peoples.

"Headed by President Putin, Russia has witnessed political stability and fast economic growth. The Russian people are leading a better life, too," Hu said.

Russia has played an important role in international and regional affairs, which enabled Russia to gain respect from the international community, Hu noted.

"As a friendly neighbor and strategic partner, the Chinese government and people are sincerely happy about that," Hu added.

Since the establishment of the strategic partnership, the cooperation between the two countries has been keeping growing and fruitful, Hu said.

China and Russia decided to mark the theme years during Hu's visit to Russia in 2005, for the sake of enhancing the mutual understanding and friendship, as well as ensuring the sound and steady long-term development of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation, he noted.