In an effort to determine the links between the two countries,?40 journalists from China and Russia set off from Beijing Tuesday on a 16,000-kilometer road journey to Moscow.?
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"This journey will be a long march carrying forward the China-Russia friendship," Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said at the farewell ceremony.
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The journalists represent major media organizations including China Radio International, China Central Television, Xinhua News Agency, Itar-Tass, Russian First Channel, the Russian News and Information Agency and the Voice of Russia.
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Traveling in 13 off-road vehicles, they'll pass through more than 20 cities before finally reaching Red Square in Moscow in approximately 45 days.
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The journalists will file reports on their progress, the changes Russia has experienced in recent years and describe the friendship between the two countries.?
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"These reports will help deepen the mutual understanding between the peoples and contribute to the development of China-Russia relations," Tang said.
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This media adventure, an important element of the Year of Russia in China, is the first of its kind.
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Russian Minister-Counsellor in China Igor Morgulov said at the start ceremony, "This journey of friendship will help Chinese people know more about Russia's development."
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Wang Gengnian, president of event organizer China Radio International, said the trip was also a journey of discovery of present-day Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2006)