China-Russia humanities cooperation enhances mutual understanding: Chinese vice premier

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said here Monday that China-Russia humanities cooperation enhances mutual understanding between the two peoples.

At the 17th session of the China-Russia committee on Humanities Cooperation she co-chaired with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets, Liu said the committee has made tangible results since the previous session.

As an important part of the regular prime ministers' meetings between the two countries, the committee has conducted beneficial cooperation in education, culture, health, sports, tourism, media, films, archives and youth exchanges, she said.

"The cooperation in these areas has played an irreplaceable role in solidifying the social basis of China-Russia ties," Liu said.

Liu praised the activities held under the theme years in both countries, including the Youth Friendly Exchange Years and the Media Exchange Years.

Over 800 activities were held and attracted over hundreds of millions of people during the Youth Friendly Exchange Years, while four agreements were signed to promote interactions on media and culture, with 227 projects to be carried out, she said.

Liu also noted that the people-to-people exchange was expanded as the number of tourists increased dramatically and the number of both long-and short-term exchange students exceeded 70,000.

"In 2015, the number of Chinese people visiting Russia increased 27.8 percent to 1.22 million; the number of Russian tourists coming to China surged by 52.9 percent in the first quarter of 2016, compared with the same period of last year," Liu said.

She also hailed the pivot projects in various fields, which "play a leading role in deepening the practical cooperation between China and Russia."

To name a few, a China-Russia joint university which started construction in the Chinese city of Shenzhen in May marked a milestone of innovative cooperation in education, she said.

Moreover, the reconstruction of an exhibition hall on the site of the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is a strong demonstration of the long-lasting friendship between the two countries, said Liu.

The cultural festivals held in each other's cities have become the largest program with the broadest influence and highest attendance, she said.

Bilateral humanities cooperation has pushed forward multilateral cooperation within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Liu said.

An international motor rally codenamed "International Silk Road Rally" would be held from July 8 to 24, crossing a vast land of Russia, Kazakhstan and China, which would play a positive role in advancing sports cooperation among SCO countries, said Liu. Endit