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Language theme years to promote China-Russia cooperation

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-03-25 23:35

MOSCOW - The reciprocal language theme years from 2009 to 2010 are another milestone in efforts by China and Russia to strengthen Sino-Russian friendship and facilitate bilateral strategic cooperation, the Chinese ambassador to Russia says.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

The "Years of Languages," an extension of the earlier national theme years, will encourage even more people to learn each other's languages, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang said in a written interview with Xinhua, on the eve of the inauguration of the "Russian Language Year in China."

Teaching the Russian language in China and teaching Chinese in Russia have both recorded rapid development in the past few years, the ambassador said.

About 400 Chinese institutes of higher education have offered Russian language courses, which are also available at many primary and middle schools. Meanwhile, there are 12 Confucius schools, three Confucius classrooms and more than 90 Chinese language centers in Russia.

The language theme years will additionally encourage the two peoples to learn each other's languages and cultures, and thus lay a solid social foundation for the development of Sino-Russian relations, Liu said.

Civil exchanges between the two peoples, especially between their youth, are increasingly intensive in recent years, Liu said.

"The 'Years of Languages' are future-oriented and many of the activities will be particularly tailored for the youth," the ambassador said.

According to an agenda approved by the China-Russia committee on cultural and humanity cooperation last October, the Russian Language Year in China will see 49 events, nearly half of which will involve the two countries' youth.

Moreover, 550 children from China's southwestern province of Sichuan, which was hit by a devastating earthquake last May, will come to Russia for rehabilitation this summer.

All the events will create favorable conditions for the youths to deepen their understanding and friendship, Liu said.

A large number of activities in the field of humanity will be held under the framework of the language theme years, Liu said.

The activities, with their brand new forms and abundant content, will help enhance understanding and communication between the two peoples, he added.

The two sides should make full use of the opportunity to boost the exchanges of culture and thoughts, push forward bilateral cooperation in humanity to a new stage, and further enrich and promote the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation, Liu said.