The Russian TV play "Poor Nastia" has aroused the Chinese audience's interests in Russian contemporary culture, and the Chinese youth is looking forward to watching more Russian television of this kind.

The TV serial play of "Poor Nastia" tells of a love story in the Russian palace 100 years ago. It has made the Chinese youth change their impression of Russian television and film with its fast-moving plot and excellent production with the use of a great deal of modern techniques.

The programme, composed of 100 episodes, was screened by CCTV last year, and will be broadcast again due to popular demand.

According to a survey carried out by CCTV, more than 30 percent of investigated audiences hope to watch more Russian contemporary TV and film because of their enjoyment in "Poor Nastia".

Jia Bo, a senior official with the All-China Youth Federation, said the mass enthusiasm in the Russian TV programme indicates that the China-Russia cultural exchanges should not only involve recalling the past, but also give more attention to contemporary events and the future.

Many middle-aged and elderly Chinese people are passionate about Russian culture, but as time has passed by, Chinese youth have not been so familiar with the Russian artistic works.

Nowadays, with the growth of China-Russia relations, the Chinese people are increasingly interested in Russian culture.

Another survey shows that 64.5 percent of Chinese university students are interested in Russia, but many of them are not familiar with the contemporary culture of their largest neighboring country.

Jia Bo said the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation should be cemented and promoted by the exchanges not only between top leaders but also between the youth of both sides.

Television plays, movies, music, literature, art and the internet could help achieve this, Jia noted.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2006)