The closing ceremony of the "Year of China" was held in Moscow Tuesday
evening, marking the end of the reciprocal China-Russia national
theme years which started in 2006.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Viktor
Zubkov attended the ceremony in the Kremlin.
Chinese Premier Wen
Jiabao addresses the closing ceremony of the "Year of China" series
of events in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 6, 2007.
"It's an important measure for China and Russia to host the
national years which were expected to enhance the friendship for
generations between the two peoples, promote the strategic
partnership of coordination in an all-round manner," Wen said while
addressing the occasion, calling the event a pioneering effort in
bilateral ties.
In the "Year of Russia" in 2006, more than 300 activities were
held in China, and in the "Year of China," more than 200 events
were carried out in Russia.
The national years enhanced the Sino-Russian friendship, boosted
mutual beneficial cooperation in various fields, Wen said,
extending appreciation to his Russian colleagues for their
contribution to the success of the theme years.
To unswervingly push forward the strategic partnership of
coordination, and deepen the good-neighborly friendship and mutual
beneficial cooperation is a common aspiration and firm choice of
both China and Russia and the two peoples as well, Wen said, noting
the two countries are "vital strategic partners."
The spirit of "friendship for generations and joint progress,"
advocated in the national years, will be carried on to future eras,
Wen stressed.
He expressed the hope that the two peoples will adhere to the
China-Russia good-neighborly treaty of friendship and cooperation,
stick to the idea of "friendship for generations", and enhance
mutual trust, unity and coordination in a bid to promote bilateral
relations.
Wen arrived in Moscow Monday for a two-day official visit to
Russia at the invitation of Zubkov.
Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir
Putin initiated the 'national years' in 2005 in a bid to enhance
mutual trust and promote cooperation in various fields between the
two countries.
(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2007)
