A 12-day winter camp for Russian students kicked off in Beijing on Sunday as a reciprocal program that marks the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Russia, according to the Ministry of Education.

During the 12 days, a total of 60 primary and middle school students from Russia will visit schools and historical sites in Beijing and south China's Hainan Province. Meanwhile, parties and various sports contests will be held for them and their Chinese counterparts to better understand China's history and culture.

Since 2001, tens of thousands of students from China and Russia have attended such summer and winter camps in the other country. The Russian students have visited some 20 cities across China, including Dalian, Suzhou and Shanghai.

"China and Russia have been sharing a long history of communication and cooperation regarding education, and mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries' youngsters is of great significance to bilateral ties," said Wu Zaofeng, a senior official in charge of international exchange and cooperation under the Ministry of Education.

Wu said, through deepened cultural cooperation between China and Russia, more students were gaining opportunities to learn. He hoped that the two sides would push forward the summer and winter camp activities to strengthen the friendship among young people.

The winter camp is held by China's Education Association for International Exchange.

(Xinhua News Agency February 16, 2009)