MOSCOW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin participated in the opening ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia on Monday.

    The two leaders delivered speeches at the ceremony, hailing the progress made in the development of bilateral ties.

    During Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005, China and Russia agreed to celebrate the "Year of Russia" and "Year of China" in each other's countries, in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

    The bilateral events are aimed at deepening friendship, enhancing cooperation and promoting the strategic partnership of cooperation between the two countries.

    Hu arrived here earlier in the day for a three-day state visit and held talks with Putin in the afternoon.