China and Russia will hold a closing ceremony for the Year of Russia in China in Beijing on the
evening of Nov. 9, a senior Chinese diplomat said Wednesday.
The closing ceremony will be held during the 11th meeting of the
Chinese premier and Russian prime minister from Nov. 9 to 10.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui and Russian Ambassador
to China Sergei Razov co-chaired a news conference briefing on the
closing activities of the "Year of Russia" in Beijing on
Wednesday.
Premier Wen Jiabao and Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov will
attend the closing ceremony and deliver speeches, Li said, adding
that following the ceremony, the Russian Tchaikovsky Symphony
Orchestra will entertain the audience.
A series of activities including the National Exhibition on
Russia and the Sino-Russian Investment Promotion Week will also be
held during the prime minister's visit.
The National Exhibition on Russia will take place in the Beijing
International Trade Center from Nov. 8 to 13. It will showcase over
500 booths covering an area of 10,900 square meters, displaying
cutting-edge products and technologies from hi-tech industries with
over 1,500 Russian participants.
"This is an exhibition at the highest level covering the
broadest fields and attended by the largest number of Russian
people in recent years," Li noted.
The Sino-Russian Investment Promotion Week will start on Nov. 9
and will feature 13 promotional activities aimed at boosting
bilateral investment.
In 2004 and 2005, two investment promotion sessions were held
leading to 19 project agreements or letters of intent being
signed.
Li said the two sides will determine a new array of investment
cooperation projects this time.
A joint communique will be released during the 11th regular
meeting between the prime ministers and the two sides will sign
sweeping documents on bilateral cooperation, Li said.
The two countries will sum up the outcome of the "Year of
Russia", and outline activities for the coming "Year of China in
Russia", Li added.
Razov said the Russian government had provided US$12.5 million
towards funding the activities of the "Year of Russia", and over
400 Russian delegations have visited China, holding more than 20
promotion seminars in China this year alone.
Trade volume between the two countries reached US$24.64 billion
in the first 9 months of 2006, up 18.8 percent year-on-year with
trade likely to hit US$36 billion, a new record.
More than 200 activities were held during the "Year of Russia".
Li said these activities have promoted mutual understanding and
friendship.
"I believe these activities will further strengthen the
traditional friendship between our two countries and push forward
the China-Russia strategic partnership," Razov said.
(Xinhua News Agency October 26, 2006)
