On the afternoon of May 16, President Xi Jinping and President Putin of Russia jointly attended the opening ceremony of the "China Russia Cultural Year" and the special concert to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia and delivered a speech at the National Grand Theater in Beijing.

Xi Jinping and Putin entered the meeting together in warm applause.

Xi Jinping first delivered a speech.

Xi Jinping pointed out that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia. The ups and downs of China Russia relations over the past three quarters of a century show that it is of irreplaceable significance to continuously consolidate and develop China Russia permanent good neighborly friendship, comprehensive strategic cooperation, mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win results, in line with the fundamental interests of the two countries and their people, and in line with the expectations of the international community and the trend of development of the times. The mutual theme year has become a fine tradition of people to people and cultural exchanges between China and Russia, as well as a feature and highlight in the history of the development of bilateral relations, and has been widely welcomed by the two peoples. Last year, President Putin and I agreed to hold the "Sino Russian Cultural Year" from 2024 to 2025. Today, the two sides officially launched this cultural event. The two sides will hold a series of colorful cultural exchange projects, further release the potential of cultural cooperation between the two countries, and jointly create a new future of cultural exchanges between China and Russia. It is believed that this will inject new impetus into the inheritance of China Russia friendship from generation to generation and the mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.

Xi Jinping pointed out that both Chinese and Russian national music are beautiful flowers in the garden of world civilization. Tonight's music feast will become a wonderful chapter of cultural exchange and mutual learning between China and Russia. Let's take the "China Russia Cultural Year" as an opportunity, take the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a new starting point, carry forward friendship, work together, add luster to the comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation between China and Russia in the new era, and jointly create a new bright future for China Russia friendship!

Putin said in his speech that I fully agree with President Xi Jinping's positive comments on Russia China relations. The people of Russia and China are close as brothers. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. The Russian people are sincerely pleased and admire the great achievements of the Chinese people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China 75 years ago, the bilateral relations have accumulated a lot of valuable experience and are currently in the best period in history. Based on mutual respect, equality and mutual trust, Russia China relations have promoted the development of their respective countries, benefited the two peoples and set a model for international relations. It is of great symbolic significance to hold the "Russian Chinese Cultural Year" on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. The Russian side is willing to deepen people to people and cultural exchanges with China, enhance mutual understanding and promote the continuous upgrading of bilateral cooperation.

The two heads of state jointly appreciated the wonderful artistic performances jointly presented by Chinese and Russian artists.

About 1000 friendly people from all walks of life of China and Russia attended.

Cai Qi, Wang Yi, Chen Yiqin and others attended.

Editor in charge: Zhang Yu