The Year of China in Russia

«We are more than close neighbors and reliable partners. Our peoples’ history and culture embody an enormous cultural and spiritual attraction between two great civilizations,» the president said. «There is no doubt that this year will add vivid new pages to the rich chronicle of our longstanding ties,» our head of state added.

The two leaders decided in 2004 to hold the Year of Russia in China in 2006 and the Year of China in 2007. During the recently concluded Year of Russia in China, considered highly successful by specialists, Russian representatives held around 300 major events. China also has extensive plans—continued on page 2—with about 200 events scheduled. Hu Jintao told reporters that Beijing intended to «use the Year of China in Russia to expand humanitarian exchanges and cooperation and deepen mutual understanding and friendship between our countries and peoples».

A source in the Russian Presidential Administration said Russians would have a unique opportunity to discover much that is new and interesting about China’s centuries-old culture and history and become better acquainted with modern Chinese life.

Twenty-six trade and economic events for the 2007 Year of China in Russia have been approved at the highest level. China’s Commerce Ministry will organize three national-scale events: the PRC National Exhibition, the 11th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in June, and the second Chinese-Russian forum of economic, trade and industrial circles during the next regular prime-ministerial meeting in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Assistant Commerce Minister and ministry spokesperson Chong Quan stressed that many other trade and economic events would cover commerce, transport, finance, high technology, postal services, forestry, agriculture, and cross-border and regional cooperation. He said the Year’s economic events should provide an excellent platform for cooperation between enterprises and regions and actively raise the level of trade and economic ties.

Writing in «People’s Daily», Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang said: «I was deeply impressed that President Hu Jintao met President Vladimir Putin five times in one year, alongside meetings between parliamentary leaders and prime ministers.

Such frequent high-level contacts set a new record in Chinese-Russian relations. The Year of China in Russia will be the defining theme of their development in 2007.» He continued: «National-year activities have been and are being held pursuant to important decisions by Hu Jintao and Vladimir Putin. They aim to preserve and strengthen Chinese-Russian friendship, expand and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and take our strategic partnership to the highest possible level.» Liu emphasized that these activities bridge the two peoples, fostering favorable ties, narrowing the distance between them and inspiring active participation in Chinese-Russian friendship. He believes full implementation of both national years will add a new page to the history of bilateral relations.

Scientific and technical cooperation is an important part of the countries’ strategic interaction, Chinese Vice-Minister of Science and Technology Shang Yong told reporters in Moscow. He described the national exhibition «Chinese Science and Innovation», opened in Moscow, as one of the Year’s most important events. Its exhibits showcase developments in biotechnology, electronics, information technology, electromechanics, energy conservation and environmental protection.

The exhibition introduces Russian specialists to China’s scientific and technological experience, particularly in establishing industrial development zones for new and high technologies. China has established 54 such zones.

A grand Chinese cultural festival will visit over 30 Russian cities during the Year. «Chinese culture has never had such a presence in Russia,» said Mikhail Shvydkoy, head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Culture and Cinematography. «Nothing like this happened even in Soviet times, at the peak of our friendship with China.»

In September, a tourist ship will leave Moscow and travel along the Volga, stopping in cities with ancient histories and cultures: Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Volgograd and Kazan. Chinese circus performers, a folk-music ensemble, wushu practitioners and folk craft masters will participate. Chinese artists will sketch from life during the voyage and later compile a scroll chronicling the journey, to be donated to a Russian museum. China has already assembled 20 performing groups and six art exhibitions for tours and traveling displays in Russia. Chinese disco nights will take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg nightclubs. Vice-Minister of Culture Meng Xiaosi said children’s performing groups would be sent to a Moscow festival opening on June 1 this year and lasting until January 2008, to strengthen friendship between the countries’ young people. The festival will provide an emotional, colorful finale to the Year of China in Russia.