The "Year of China" in Russia and the "Year of Russia" in China are historic events
and will lay the groundwork for the development of ties between the
two countries, says a leading China scholar in Russia.
"China has really grown by leaps and bounds. Looking at the
buildings from a plane, one would find Beijing and Shanghai second
to none in the world," Mikhail Titarenko, director of the Far East
Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua
recently.
The 73-year-old academic first visited China in the 1950s to
study Chinese at Peking University, and since then has paid many a
visit to the country.
"China-Russia friendship is of long standing," the scholar
said.
"In the past half century, the two countries have witnessed
brotherly ties but also shared some bitter memories. Now, Russia
and China have established a new, unprecedented relationship based
on similar or identical views on international issues, national
security and the agreement of strategic interests and objectives of
the two countries," Titarenko said.
Russia and China respect each other, interact as equals and
enjoy a good relationship, he said. "In recent years, Russians have
become increasingly keen on learning more about China." The Chinese
language, martial arts and paintings are popular among
Russians.
"Of course, some people in Russia still have doubts over the
firmness of Russia-China friendship, and that is mainly because of
their lack of understanding and the lingering perceptions of the
earlier downturn in ties," Titarenko said.
It's good and "wise" for the leaders of the two countries to
organize the "Year of China" and the "Year of Russia".
The "Year of Russia" provided a chance to millions of Chinese to
see today's changing Russia, and the "Year of China" will help the
notion of China being a friendly neighbor take root in Russia, he
said.
"Russia and China live as (friendly and good) neighbors. History
has proven that only by living in amity and joining forces can we
overcome future difficulties." Titarenko said.
(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2007)
