Chinese President Hu Jintao attended Wednesday evening a song and dance performance given by the Alexandrov Ensemble of the Russian armed forces at the Great Hall of the People.

Hu, also chairman of China's Central Military Commission, told ensemble members before the performance that China would continue with Russia to push forward the bilateral strategic and cooperative partnership.

During the meeting, Hu welcomed the ensemble which was founded in 1928 and on its seventh visit to China.

The performance, part of the on-going activities of the Year of Russia in China, featured Russian army songs and dances, as well as Russian folk songs and dances familiar to the Chinese people and some Chinese songs.

The Year of China activities will be held in Russia in 2007.

Hu said the Year of Russia activities had been a great success so far as such activities had been popular among the people.

He said he was convinced the activities would show significant and profound influence on the development of relations between the two countries and their armed forces.

Source: Xinhua