¡¡ The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-Russia Association for Friendship held a reception in Beijing on October 3 for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia.

¡¡ Vice-premier Qian Qichen told those gathered that the establishment of the strategic and coordinative partnership with equality and mutual-trust oriented to the 21st century is in the fundamental interest of the people of the two countries and is in the interest of peace and development in the world.

¡¡ He said that the Chinese government and people value the good momentum in the development of Sino-Russian relations and that they will work with the Russian government and people to make it better.

¡¡ He said he hopes that more effective exchanges by friendship organizations of the two countries can be conducted in the future to promote Sino-Russian friendship.

¡¡ The President of the Association for Friendship, Qi Huaiyuan, and Russian Ambassador to China Igor A. Rogachev praised development of relations between China and Russia in recent years. (Xinhua)