Senior Chinese and Russian officials vowed on Monday to push forward cultural cooperation between the two countries in a bid to consolidate bilateral relations.

China will make joint efforts with Russia to further implement consensus reached by the two heads of states, promote cooperation in cultural and humanities fields, consolidate the social basis for the further development of bilateral ties and contribute to the strategic partnership of cooperation, State Councilor Chen Zhili said at a joint committee session.

The Sino-Russian strategic partnership of cooperation has witnessed quick development and such cooperation in cultural and humanities aspects was close and remarkable, which helped to enhance mutual understanding and traditional friendship between the two peoples, she said.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov, who was co-chairing the China-Russia committee on cultural and humanities cooperation, said the ongoing theme events "Year of China" in Russia has inserted vigor into the growth of bilateral relations and Russia will further such cooperation with China.

The committee session agreed to further cooperate in such fields as education, culture, healthcare, sports, tourism, mass media and film industry.

(Xinhua News Agency September 4, 2007)