The Russia-China Friendship Association (RCFA) on Wednesday hosted a grand reception to mark the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Nearly 1,000 people from both Russia and China attended the reception, co-sponsored by the Russian chapter of the Sino-Russian Committee of Friendship, Peace and Development, the Far-East Research Institute of the Russian Sciences Academy and the Moscow State University for International Relations.

The Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Li Hui, told the gathering that the friendship associations in either country serve not only as messengers of friendship but also as nuclei for promoting friendship.

He hoped the friendship associations will continue to make the utmost of their advantages to boost interaction and cooperation in various fields between the two countries, so as to actively promote bilateral relations and materialize the long-lasting, healthy and stable development of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

RCFA President Mikhail Titarenko said at the reception that his association will make further contribution toward reinforcing bilateral friendship for generations to come.

To develop and consolidate friendly Russia-China relations on the basis of mutual understanding and trust is the common wish of the two countries, he added.

Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship With Foreign Countries and of the China-Russia Friendship Association, told the reception that the two friendship associations have long been dedicated to enhancing mutual understanding between the Chinese and Russian peoples.

The two associations have maintained close collaboration and cooperation themselves, Chen added, and they should carry on their comprehensive cooperation and communication to deepen the friendship between the two peoples and to push forward the relations between the two countries.

Also present at the reception were RCFA Honorary Chairman Sergei Tikhvinsky and former Russian ambassador to China, Igor Rogachev, and representatives from Russia's Federation Council and State Duma.