China.org.cn: After the "Year of China/Russia" and "Year of the Chinese/Russian" programs concluded respectively in Russia and China, China successfully hosted the "Tourism Year of Russia" in 2012, and Russia is to launch the "Tourism Year of China" this year. How do these activities promote exchanges between Chinese and Russian citizens and help them know more about each other?

Cheng Guoping: It has been a good tradition for China and Russia to host programs with a particular theme on each other's culture. These activities have undoubtedly fostered the mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries and their people. During the "Year of China" and "Year of Russia," nearly 100 million people from 22 Chinese provinces and 80 Russian federal subjects participated in more than 500 large-scale activities. After the "Year of the Chinese" and "Year of the Russian," more Chinese started to learn Russian, and Russians Chinese. It has been predicted that by 2020, the total number of Chinese students studying in Russia and Russian students studying in China will surpass 100,000.

It was reported that about 343,000 Chinese tourists traveled to Russia last year, up 46 percent year-on-year. China has become Russia's largest source country of foreign tourists, and Russia ranks the third largest source country of foreign tourists for China. A new poll shows that 80 percent of Russian people thought the Sino-Russian relationship was very good or good, 72 percent considered China the friendliest nation, and Chinese people have a similar impression about Russia.

China.org.cn: Nowadays, regional conflicts take place frequently due to long standing factors. As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia have been committed to solving disputes through diplomatic dialogue and negotiation. They have made great contributions to the world peace, security and stability. Can you talk about the realistic significance of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership?

Cheng Guoping: It has already been a tremendous contribution to human being's peace and development for China and neighboring Russia, two of the largest countries in the world, to stick to the good-neighborly friendship, mutual cooperation and strategic coordination. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and newly emerging economies, China and Russia are committed to upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and basic rules of international laws, and shouldering the responsibilities of world powers to maintain peace, security and stability worldwide. China and Russia play a positive and constructive role in developing a sounder global situation and a more balanced international system.

Facing a more complicated global situation, China and Russia will further their international strategic coordination efforts and solve disputes through peaceful means. Object to subverting legal regimes, hegemonies, and power politics, China and Russia will actively push forward the world multi-polarization and democratization of international relations, safeguard the fruits of World War II, and fight against those who embellish Nazism and militarism. I believe their joint efforts will make the world order more equal and balanced, the international and regional situation more stable and peaceful.

China.org.cn: Can you introduce this year's highlights regarding the Sino-Russian relationship? Where will the China-Russia bond go?

Cheng Guoping: This year, both China and Russia will focus on promoting their comprehensive strategic partnership through implementing agreements ratified by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. I expect there to be many highlights. First, high level interaction will be much closer. Xi Jinping will attend the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, and will meet with Putin on many other occasions. The regular meeting between Chinese premier and Russian prime minister, bilateral talks on strategic security, and all level cooperation on many fields will promote friendly relations. Second, new breakthroughs are expected in major cooperation programs concerning oil, gas, nuclear power, investment, aviation, and cross border infrastructure construction. Third, China and Russia are further looking for cooperation in developing adjacent areas. Fourth, exchanges between Chinese and Russian people will surge after Russia kicks off the "Tourism Year of China." Fifth, both sides will intensify strategic cooperation in dealing with important international and regional issues. To sum it up, I am fully confident that the Sino-Russian relationship will become more positive and stable in the future.

This article was translated by Fan Junmei.