MOSCOW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- China and Russia should be friendly partners promoting humanistic cooperation between the two countries through reciprocal theme years, Chinese President Hu Jintao said Monday.

    The relevant departments of the Chinese and Russian governments have put forward a lot of programs designed to expand cooperation in culture, education, health-care, sports and tourism, Hu said in a five-point proposal made during talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

    During Hu's visit to Russia in July 2005, China and Russia agreed to launch the "Year of China" in Russia this year. Various activities held during the "Year of Russia" in China last year drew more than 500,000 Chinese.

    Significant progress was made in the development of Sino-Russian relations in 2006, when the two countries celebrated the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation and the first "Year of Russia" was held in China, Hu said.

    Putin said the reciprocal theme years held in the two nations have played a constructive role in promoting economic and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

    President Hu arrived in Moscow earlier in the day for a three-day state visit. Hu and Putin attended the opening ceremony of the "Year of China" in Russia, and the Chinese president will also meet other Russian leaders and attend activities marking the "Year of China."

    On Tuesday, the two leaders will also attend the opening ceremony of a Chinese national exhibition in Moscow, one of the 200 events planned throughout the "Year of China" in Russia and the biggest comprehensive show China has held outside the country in almost three decades.

    There will also be a cultural festival, a business forum and an investment conference.

Chinese, Russian presidents vow to strengthen strategic partnership

    MOSCOW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged to further promote the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

    Since the two countries forged the strategic partnership of cooperation 10 years ago, bilateral cooperation in various fields has been developing smoothly, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, the presidents said in a joint statement. Full story

China, Russia to boost co-op in trade, investment, energy

    MOSCOW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday vowed to boost cooperation in trade, investment, energy and other sectors.

    In a joint statement signed by the two leaders Monday, Hu and Putin noted the vigorous development of trade cooperation between the two countries in recent years. Full story

Chinese president arrives in Moscow for visit

    MOSCOW, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in Moscow on Monday for a state visit aimed at strengthening the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation.

    In a written statement issued upon his arrival at the airport, Hu said that the year 2006 saw "important progress made in the development of Sino-Russian relations."  Full story