Enhancing Mutual Understanding

The bilateral trade exceeded $29 billion in 2005, exhibiting a steady growth trend. The key is to improve the trade structure, including increasing high value-added products and hi-tech products.

　　In short, I'm confident of good prospects of the bilateral relations. The Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, signed in 2001, is effective for 20 years, which lays down a sound legal foundation for Russia-China partnership.

　　The two countries will continue to hold frequent meetings and contacts between the top leaders, increase visits by delegations and see more opportunities of enhancing cooperation in energy, investment, scientific and technological exchange, education and tourism in 2006.

　　Reporter: The Russian and Chinese peoples hold sincere friendly feelings toward each other. How will the cultural exchange be enhanced between young Chinese and Russians?

　　Ambassador: The traditional friendship ties Chinese and Russian peoples together. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, a great many Chinese young people and experts studied in the former Soviet Union. Speaking objectively, the current political trust and mutual understanding between the two peoples exceed their knowledge of each other. The elder generation of Chinese is still quite familiar with Russia's cultural variety, its tradition and customs while the younger generation knows less about it. The mindset formed through decades of influence can be deep-rooted and it is the same with both Chinese and Russians.

　　I have said the holding of the "Year of China" and the "Year of Russia" is to let our peoples, particularly the young, gain better knowledge of current Russia and China.

　　Reporter: What part of Chinese culture do you think the Russian people are most interested in? Can you talk about your understanding of the Chinese culture?

　　Ambassador: The Chinese culture is a very old one which is rich and colorful in a great variety of forms. Literature, painting, architecture, philosophy and unique handcrafts constitute the historical treasury of China. The Chinese culture is of great significance to human civilization with over ten cultural heritages entering the UNESCO World Heritage List.

　　The Russian people have a thirst for knowledge and are willing to know all the new things. Russian Sinologists are among the world's most respected experts in Chinese studies because Russian scholars have known long time ago Chinese paintings, operas and the splendid Chinese literature. By the way, last year, the Oriental Studies Faculty of the St. Petersburg State University celebrated the 150th anniversary of its establishment. It is the first institute in Russia to teach the Chinese language. As you all know, as early as in the tsarist period, many palaces had China halls or were decorated with in-door Chinese objects.

　　Chinese troupes have given successful performances in Russia and more and more Russian tourists have been to China. All these proved that the Russian people are very interested in Chinese culture and China. Chinese paintings, including traditional Chinese paintings, are very popular. Tickets to performances by Chinese martial art masters are always sold out quickly. And of course, no one can resist Chinese food and the unique exquisite dishes.