China, Russia expecting more tourists during Year of China

However, problems do exist to hinder tourism development between the two countries, including the inconvenience of the Russian visa process, the inefficient customs entry, which led to a slight drop in the number of Chinese visitors to Russia last year, Shao said.

　　He expects Russia to invest in tourism in China. According to Shao, China boasts 49 brands of high-ranking international hotels, none of which are from Russia.

　　Nearly 200 festivities will take place this year in the framework of Year of China in Russia, and together with last year's successful Year of Russia in China, cooperation between the two countries in fields like tourism, politics, economy, science, culture and education are sure to boom, Shao said.