The closing ceremony of the "Year of China" was held in Moscow Tuesday evening, marking the end of the reciprocal China-Russia national theme years which started in 2006.

 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and his Russian counterpart Viktor Zubkov attended the ceremony in the Kremlin.

 

 

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao addresses the closing ceremony of the "Year of China" series of events in Moscow, Russia, on Nov. 6, 2007.

 

"It's an important measure for China and Russia to host the national years which were expected to enhance the friendship for generations between the two peoples, promote the strategic partnership of coordination in an all-round manner," Wen said while addressing the occasion, calling the event a pioneering effort in bilateral ties.

 

In the "Year of Russia" in 2006, more than 300 activities were held in China, and in the "Year of China," more than 200 events were carried out in Russia.

 

The national years enhanced the Sino-Russian friendship, boosted mutual beneficial cooperation in various fields, Wen said, extending appreciation to his Russian colleagues for their contribution to the success of the theme years.

 

To unswervingly push forward the strategic partnership of coordination, and deepen the good-neighborly friendship and mutual beneficial cooperation is a common aspiration and firm choice of both China and Russia and the two peoples as well, Wen said, noting the two countries are "vital strategic partners."

 

The spirit of "friendship for generations and joint progress," advocated in the national years, will be carried on to future eras, Wen stressed.

 

He expressed the hope that the two peoples will adhere to the China-Russia good-neighborly treaty of friendship and cooperation, stick to the idea of "friendship for generations", and enhance mutual trust, unity and coordination in a bid to promote bilateral relations.

 

Wen arrived in Moscow Monday for a two-day official visit to Russia at the invitation of Zubkov.

 

Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin initiated the 'national years' in 2005 in a bid to enhance mutual trust and promote cooperation in various fields between the two countries.

 

(Xinhua News Agency November 7, 2007)