Biggest show to beef up economic ties

Alexy Davidovich Reznikov, who is an agent for Chinese trucks and cars such asthose from Dongfeng and Hafei, considers the exhibition a good platform for Russians to know Chinese products better.

　　"It is expected to have a far-reaching influence on the Russian market and we hope to have more such exchanges," he said.

　　Since Beijing and Moscow resolved their last major political issue in 2004 when they signed an agreement over the 4,300-km border, the two countries do not have big political obstacles hindering economic and trade co-operation, according to Xu Tao, deputy director of the Institute of Russian Studies affiliated to the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

　　The national year activities are not just routine cultural events; they let peoples from the two countries know each other better, according to Xu.

　　"Only when people truly understand each other's culture will they be able to dispel doubts and enmity," he noted.

　　Russian Ambassador to China Sergei Razov said earlier that the purpose of holding the national years in China and Russia is to deepen mutual understanding of the domestic situation and people's lives.

　　Besides the economic partnership, Hu will also hold talks with Putin today on international matters such as nuclear issues concerning Iran and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and counter-terrorism. They will issue a joint statement after their summit.