Chinese ambassador hails China-Russia ties in lunar New Year celebration

MOSCOW, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang hailed the development of China-Russia relations in 2007, speaking highly of the contribution made by the Russia-China Friendship Association to the bilateral ties.

"The association attaches importance to the promotion of friendship between Chinese and Russian people and has inspired a large amount of people to engage in such course," Liu told a Saturday celebration for Chinese lunar New Year near Moscow.

Liu appreciated the organization's efforts in furthering such friendship into all walks of life, especially the youth, saying the joining of young people will boost the Chinese-Russian friendship for generations.

Mikhail Titarenko, president of the Moscow-based association, hailed the successful theme events of the "Year of Russia" in China in 2006 and "Year of China" in Russia in 2007, saying such activities have enhanced the already solid friendship between the two peoples.

During the "Year of Russia," a total of 300 festivities were held in China, covering such areas as politics, economy, science, culture and education. Over 500,000 Chinese were directly involved in those events, which drew a total audience of hundreds of millions more.

The "Year of China" involved also some 300 events in Russia that were led by a Chinese national exhibition, a cultural festival, a business forum and an investment conference.