The Year of Chinese Language, about to start in Moscow, reflects China's enhanced national power, stronger Sino-Russian ties and a growing demand for Chinese language talents.

Those mastering Chinese in fact are proving more successful in job hunting.

Nearly 100 state-funded Russian universities run Chinese language courses, with more than 40 having it as their primary foreign language. The number of undergraduate and postgraduate students learning Chinese is estimated to exceed 10,000.

Elementary and high schools have shared the enthusiasm for Chinese. Partial statistics show that Chinese language courses are available at more than 10 elementary and high schools in Moscow, where some 2,000 students are learning Chinese.

"All kids hope to learn the Chinese language. Parents always consult us about whether they should send their children to learn Chinese," Olga Zavyalova, a scholar with the Far East Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Xinhua in an interview.

In an article titled Chinese in Russia - Theory and Practice, published by Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta recently, Zavyalova said Russians began studying Chinese a long time ago mainly for the purpose of research. As China's national strength intensified, more Russians now learn Chinese to hitch a ride on the booming Chinese economy.

Olga Semenova, headmistress of the Moscow-based 1948 school, which is famous for Chinese language teaching, said almost all of the school's students were able to enter renowned universities such as Moscow State Institute of International Relations and eventually land well-paying jobs.

In addition to Chinese language learning, Chinese books have also found a place in the hearts of Russian readers. Mikhail Seslavinsky, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Print and Mass Media, said a lot of classical Chinese literature and works of ancient philosophers in the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods have had Russian versions, citing "Tao Te Ching," "Analects of Confucius" and "Dream of the Red Chamber."

"My Country and My People" by modern Chinese writer Lin Yutang and books on the Beijing Olympic Games are popular among Russians, too, Seslavinsky said.

Valery Ruzin, first vice president of Eurasian Academy of Television and Radio, expressed the hope that Chinese TV series like "Soldiers Commando" and "Golden Marriage" would be broadcast on Russian channels, a move viewed as conducive to Russians' understanding of the Chinese culture, especially the understanding between the two country's youth.

Late last year, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his Russian counterpart Dimtry Medvedev extended New Year greetings to each other and officially announced the launch of the "Year of Chinese Language" in Russia.

The interaction between China and Russia at all levels cannot move on without language talents serving as the bridge. Against the backdrop of globalization, China and Russia, as two world powers, have carried out frequent and profound language and cultural exchanges, which are of great significance for the reinforcement of the two peoples' friendship, the promotion of the Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation and mutual political trust, as well as the enlargement of bilateral practical cooperation.

(Xinhua News Agency March 22, 2010)