Xi, Putin attend China tourism event in Moscow

Want China Times, Xinhua 2013-03-23

A performance at the ceremony. (Photo/Xinhua)

Visiting Chinese president Xi Jinping and his Russian host and counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday attended the opening ceremony of the Tourism Year of China.

Putin said in a speech that cultural cooperation forms an important part of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and China.

The China-Russia Tourism Year program, which began last year with China promoting visits to its neighbor, aims to foster tourism ties and cultural exchanges between the two countries. It is the third theme year following the China-Russia National Year and the China-Russia Year of Language held recently by the two countries.

Putin said those events have greatly deepened mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples and have consolidated the social basis of bilateral relations. Both countries are rich in tourist attractions, with China renowned for its oriental elegance and Russia famous for Eurasian-style architecture.

China is a country with a long history and storied culture, and it is the third largest destination country for Russian tourists. Bilateral tourism cooperation holds great potential, Putin said, adding the promotions in Russia would further promote friendship and relations between the two countries.

Xi said China and Russia, who share a border over 3,500 kilometers long, are good neighbors, partners and friends. "President Putin and I have agreed to identify expanding practical cooperation in various fields as a priority in the development of bilateral ties so as to provide an important driving force of improving the living standards of both peoples," Xi said.

Tourism is a bridge between different civilizations and cultures, said Xi, voicing hope that China and Russia could take the alternating hosting duties of the tourism promotion as an opportunity to foster deeper cooperation.

After the opening ceremony, the two presidents, along with more than 5,000 audience members, watched a performance of Chinese artists.

Xi arrived in Moscow earlier in the day for a state visit to Russia, the first leg of his first foreign trip since he took over the presidency last week.

Xi Jinping with Vladimir Putin during a meeting in Moscow.

(Photo/Xinhua)

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