Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, attended the opening ceremony of the "Tourism Year of China" in Russia.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the "Tourism Year of China" in Moscow, March 22, 2013. The "China-Russia Tourism Year" program, which began last year with the "Tourism Year of Russia" in China, aims to foster tourism ties and humanistic exchanges between the two countries. [Xinhua]

The "China-Russia Tourism Year" program, which began last year with the "Tourism Year of Russia" in China, aims to foster tourism ties and exchanges between the two countries. Previously the two countries have held a "China-Russia National Year" and the "China-Russia Year of Language". Both countries aim to capitalize on their rich and varied heritage.

Xi Jinping, Chinese President, said, "Chinese visitors to Russia increased by 46% last year. The number of two-way visitors across the border reached 3.3 million. China has become the second largest touring destination of Russians while Russia has become the third largest destination of Chinese tourists."

Vladimir Putin, Russian President, said, "There's no doubt that the "Tourism Year of China" will be excellent and interesting. It will expand the tourist areas and help us to know each other. It can also enhance the relationship between the two countries."