MOSCOW, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Russia-China Friendship Association (RCFA) held a symposium Monday to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Russia-China diplomatic ties as well as the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC).

    Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui, RCFA honorary chairman Sergei Tikhvinsky and RCFA first vice president Galina Kulikova attended the symposium at the Russian Sciences Academy's Far East Research Institute.

    Li briefly introduced the massive transformation the PRC had gone through in various fields since its founding 60 years ago. Inparticular, Li said the reform and opening up policy adopted 30 years ago was a vital choice that determined the destiny of modern China.

    Since its forging 60 years ago, the China-Russia relationship had become increasingly mature, said Li. Bilateral ties opened a new page especially after the two countries established the strategic partnership of cooperation in 1996.

    Currently at a historical high and an exemplar of bilateral relations, China-Russia ties have become a pivotal factor in taking the lead in international situations, shaping world structure and safeguarding global and regional peace and stability, said the ambassador.

    Li thanked the long-enduring, unique role the RCFA and the Far East Research Institute have played when promoting China-Russia relations. He also pledged to spare no effort in continuously pushing bilateral ties up to new levels with the support from the Russian government and people.

    Russian representatives paid deep homage to the tremendous achievements of China since its founding 60 years ago, especially since its opening up to the outside world 30 years ago.

    China had been developing its economy and improving its democratic and legislative architecture at the same time, they noted.

    They stressed the friendly ties between Russia and China nowadays were based upon geographic adjacency, economic complementarity and traditional friendship. They wished for Russia and China to be forever amicable neighbors, partners and friends.

Special Report: 60th Anniversary of Founding of PRC