In an effort to determine the links between the two
countries, 40 journalists from China and Russia set off from
Beijing Tuesday on a 16,000-kilometer road journey to
Moscow.
"This journey will be a long march carrying forward the
China-Russia friendship," Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said
at the farewell ceremony.
The journalists represent major media organizations including China
Radio International, China Central Television, Xinhua News Agency,
Itar-Tass, Russian First Channel, the Russian News and Information
Agency and the Voice of Russia.
Traveling in 13 off-road vehicles, they'll pass through more than
20 cities before finally reaching Red Square in Moscow in
approximately 45 days.
The journalists will file reports on their progress, the changes
Russia has experienced in recent years and describe the friendship
between the two countries.
"These reports will help deepen the mutual understanding between
the peoples and contribute to the development of China-Russia
relations," Tang said.
This media adventure, an important element of the Year of Russia in
China, is the first of its kind.
Russian Minister-Counsellor in China Igor Morgulov said at the
start ceremony, "This journey of friendship will help Chinese
people know more about Russia's development."
Wang Gengnian, president of event organizer China Radio
International, said the trip was also a journey of discovery of
present-day Russia.
(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2006)