BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- More than 50 Chinese and Russian media groups gathered in Beijing on Thursday to discuss closer cooperation and exchanges.

    "Since Sino-Russian relations have entered a new phase of development, and the media from the two countries need to work together to provide an information bridge between the two peoples," said Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi in a congratulatory message at a media seminar.

    Wu, who chairs a friendship program of the "Year of Russia" and "Year of China", believed the media could help increase mutual understanding between the peoples of China and Russia.

    The Year of Russia, which is being held in China, has staged more than 130 activities. The Year of China in Russia will take place in 2007.

    Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev said in a letter that the media is irreplaceable in increasing understanding and trust between Russia and China.

    The two-day seminar, co-sponsored by Xinhua News Agency and Russian Information Agency, is an important part of the Year of Russia in China and will center on how to fulfil media's responsibility.

    Ma Shengrong, vice president of Xinhua, said information exchanges among the media could contribute to friendly cooperationbetween China and Russia, and the seminar added another platform for cooperation. Enditem