Forty Chinese and Russian journalists returned to Beijing on
Wednesday after a 16,000-kilometer road trip to discover the bonds
between the two nations.
Riding in 13 off-road vehicles, the journalists traveled through
more than 20 cities before arriving in Moscow's Red Square in just
33 days, 12 days ahead of schedule.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in a meeting with the
media group, said, "I thank you for your coverage. You have
revealed the true and multi-faceted Russia to the Chinese
people."
The journalists had filed about 500 stories and 800 photos on
the road of "China-Russia friendship" since their departure on July
25.
"This journey will be a long march carrying forward China-Russia
friendship," Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said at the
starting ceremony.
The journalists represented major media organizations, including
China Radio International, which organized the activity, China
Central Television, Xinhua News Agency, Itar-Tass, Russian First
Channel, the Russian News and Information Agency and the Voice of
Russia.
(Xinhua News Agency September 6, 2006)
