China-Russia cooperation has huge potential (3)

"Initially, SCO was rather a loose structure, but now Russia and China have jointly pushed for economic cooperation and rendered the organization a large economic structure," Maslov said.

Experts also hailed the high level of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. With the successful Tourism Year of Russia in China this year and Tourism Year of China in Russia to be held in 2013 in Russia, Sanakoyev expected a tourism boom for both sides.

Educational exchanges and scientific research cooperation are also on the rise. "Major success has been achieved in education, where the direct university exchanges have started," Maslov said, listing joint educational programs in environment science, energy, and IT among others.

To promote mutual understanding of the two peoples, the two governments should strengthen Russian studies in China and Chinese studies in Russia, experts suggest.

According to Fedor Lukyanov, editor in chief of the journal Russia in Global Affairs, the current level of China-Russia relations is "close to optimal."

With enriched and fruitful cooperation in various fields, there is wide space and huge potential for the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, experts say.

Recommended Features: Vibrant Opportunities amid Transition From 'Made in China' to 'Created in China' A Journey to Cultural Renaissance The Vision of A Pillar Industry [Video]A 'Made in China' Story A Splendorous Landscape of China's Wealth A Decade of Fastest Development Eastern Boom Lightens Western Gloom Chinese firms 'potential Trojan horses'？