Chinese students in Russia shall continue to boost the traditional friendly ties between China and Russia, while serving as messengers for bilateral people-to-people exchanges, said Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui Sunday.

During a Spring Festival party held at the Chinese embassy, Li thanked Chinese students and teachers in Russia for their unremitting efforts in 2009 to help ensure the success of a series of events. These included the "Year of Russian language" in China, the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, and the forging of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The ambassador also urged teachers and students to dedicate themselves to promoting Sino-Russian relations.

More than 600 students, teachers and scholars from over 30 Russian universities including the Moscow State University and the Moscow State Institute of International Relations attended the gathering. Performances of traditional Chinese arts, including folk dancing, instrumental music, cross talks and two-man comic shows, were presented at the gathering.

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2010)