A reception was held here on Wednesday to mark the 57th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia.

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan attended the reception.

Vice President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) Li Xiaolin said at the reception this year is an important year for the development of China-Russia relations.

She said this year marked the 10th anniversary of China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation and the fifth anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia good-neighborly treaty, as well as the inaugural year of the Year of Russia in China and Year of China in Russia programs.

Li said bilateral relations in all fields had developed deeply and quickly, with mutual political trust, cooperation and mutual benefits strengthened, cultural exchanges expanded and closer strategic coordination.

Li said the cooperation between China and Russia would certainly promote the friendship between the two countries, benefit the two peoples and contribute greatly to world peace, stability and prosperity.

Russian Ambassador to China Sergei Razov said the steady development of the strategic cooperation partnership was in the fundamental interests of the two countries and two peoples and conducive to regional and world peace and stability.

He said the programs of Year of Russia in China and Year of China in Russia would contribute to the development of relations, adding the many achievements and modern culture of Russia had been introduced to Chinese friends during the Year of Russia in China

Razov said the Year of China in Russia in 2007 would also promote friendship and mutual understanding.

The reception was held by the CPAFFC and the China-Russia Friendship Association. More than 100 people from the two countries attended.

Source: Xinhua