China, Russia Pledge to Strengthen Ties, Promote Cultural Exchanges

[Ryan Ruck]

China, Russia Pledge to Strengthen Ties, Promote Cultural Exchanges

Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin pledged to build stronger ties between the two neighbors in the new year, state media reported. The two leaders exchanged greetings on New Year’s Eve and reiterated plans to further develop bilateral relations by deepening cultural exchanges, the Xinhua news agency said.

Hu told Putin that the Chinese government attaches great importance to the 2006 celebration of the ’Year of Russia’ and promised to make it a ’complete success.’ Russia will mark the ’Year of China’ in 2007, the AFX news agency reported. The president said China and Russia both want to achieve ’good neighborliness,’ according to Xinhua.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, China and Russia also share responsibility to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world, Hu said.

In recent years, China and Russia have strengthened their relationship, especially on regional issues and supporting each other’s domestic fight against Muslim separatists. Beijing and Moscow also sense a greater need to collaborate since the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, which saw an increase in US influence and military presence in Central Asia.

[Ryan Ruck]

China And Russia Pledge Stronger Ties

China's President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin have pledged to build stronger ties this year.

Xinhua new agency says the two leaders have reiterated plans to further develop bilateral relations by deepening cultural exchanges.

Xinhua reports that President Hu told his Russian counterpart the Chinese government attaches great importance to the 2006 celebration of the "Year of Russia" and promises to make it a "complete success."

Russia will mark the "Year of China" in 2007.