"Moscow Week in Beijing", one of the important programs under
the framework of the "Year of Russia" in China, concluded with the
performance of some Russian artists in Beijing on
Sunday.
In addition to the performance, the six-day program also
includes a China-Russia business seminar, a huge exhibition about
the modern Moscow, and the publication of a book about the
friendship and history between the two capital cities.
The program, the biggest one since Beijing and Moscow forged
sister city relationship in 1995, also attracted Moscow Mayor Yuri
Luzhkov who led a huge delegation with 249 members to visit
Beijing
According to official information, a "Beijing Week in Moscow" is
scheduled to be held in the Russian capital next year.
Beijing and Moscow enjoyed a holley moon during the 1950s, but
it soon ended as the two Communist countries disputed over
ideological and realistic issues.
However, a lot of Soviet-style architectures have survived the
hardship times and still stood for elder people to pay homage to
this big nation neighboring China.
Beijing and Moscow restored relations through the late 1980s and
early 1990s as they realized they had the same interests in the new
period.
During the "Year of Russia" in China, the two countries have
launched dozens of economic and cultural exchanges in different
Chinese provinces and cities to boost mutual trust.
Amid a "Russia fever", many Chinese people said that they have
become interested in Russian songs, dances and books again, and the
Russian people have listed China as one of the top three friends in
the world.
(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2006)