Senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official Li Changchun on
Monday urged both China and Russia to enhance cultural exchanges in
a bid to keep deepening bilateral strategic partnership of
cooperation.
"Cultural exchanges help increase the understanding and
friendship between the people of the two countries and bolster the
comprehensive growth of bilateral ties," Li said while visiting an
exhibition of Russian fine arts at China's National Art Museum in
Beijing.
Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau
of the CPC Central Committee, said he believed that such activities
would also provide opportunities for the people of both countries
to learn from each other and help maintain the diversity of the
world culture.
The exhibition, including 110 Russian masterpieces dating from
the 18th to the early 20th century, is a key program of the "Year
of Russia" in China, which opened in March during Russian President
Vladimir Putin's visit to China.
The current Year of Russia in China and the Year of China in
Russia, scheduled for 2007, were a pioneering project in the
history of bilateral relations, Li acknowledged. "I am convinced
that the activities would help improve mutual trust and cooperation
between the two countries and further reinforce the China-Russia
strategic partnership of cooperation."
(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2006)
