China and Russia have reached preliminary agreements on 26 events to be held during the "Year of China" in Russia in 2007 to promote bilateral economic and trade ties, the Ministry of Commerce said in Beijing Wednesday.

A major event being planned is the China national exhibition scheduled for March 2007, which will form part of the opening events of the "Year of China," the ministry's spokesperson Chong Quan said at a press conference.

"We plans to invite the leaders of both nations to preside over the event, he said.

Another major event is the second Sino-Russian business summit forum scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2007, during the 11th regular meeting between Chinese premier and his Russian counterpart.

The third event is the 11th St. Peterberg international economic forum to be held in June 2007.

Other events shall involve bilateral cooperation in trade, transportation, finance, information industry, agriculture, forestry and other fields, the spokesperson said.

These events shall provide a platform for businesses and local governments of the two countries to pursue economic and trade relations, and shall boost bilateral trade ties to new heights, Chong said.

The "Year of China" in Russia follows the host of the "Year of Russia" in China in 2006.

Source: Xinhua rights for which they have been deprived for a long time.

The Hudood Laws, promulgated in 1979 by the late military ruler Ziaul Haq, has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups at home and abroad for its inability to differentiate between rape and adultery.

Source: Xinhua