MOSCOW, June 30 (RIA Novosti) - Moscow believes humanitarian cooperation will help strengthen Russian-Chinese relations, a Kremlin source said Thursday prior to the arrival of the Chinese president on an official visit. "Interaction in the humanitarian field is designed to strengthen the social base of Russia-China relations and increase understanding between the two nations," the source said. According to the source, the Year of Russia in China in 2006, and the Year of China in Russia in 2007 will be at the core of a bilateral humanitarian cooperation program.
The organizing committee is being established, and a schedule is being drafted for the Year of Russia in China, including events within the framework of programs on political, inter-regional, science and technology cooperation, and humanitarian interaction.
The Russian-Chinese Committee on Friendship and Development (a bilateral non-governmental friendship organization, established in 1997, the latest session was held in Moscow on May 24-26 this year) will play a leading role in promoting of a humanitarian cooperation, the source said.
Many significant cultural and political events have been held in recent years, including the Days of Chinese Culture in Russia and Days of Russian Culture in China.
The source said bilateral contacts on education had markedly been stepped up. A Russian-Chinese action plan for 2005-2008 on cooperation in higher education area was signed early this year.
Agreement has been reached on concluding a document designed to promote the Russian language in China and the Chinese language in Russia. A draft agreement for foundation of a Russian Center of Culture and Science in China and a Chinese Center of Culture and Science in Russia is to be signed soon by the governments.
A bilateral humanitarian cooperation programs have also been developing in some other areas, including health care, sports and tourism, and the media.
