Premier Li calls for closer China-Russia youth exchanges

Chinese and Russian youths should carry out more exchanges to promote mutual understanding and carry on the friendship between the two nations, visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong has said. [Special coverage]

Speaking Sunday at a forum here focused on education and healthy growth of the next generation, she noted that China will host the China-Russia Youth Friendly Exchange Year program next year after its successful run in Russia this year.

Also the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II will be marked in 2015, with various activities having been planned to deepen the friendship and enhance mutual understanding between the youths of China and Russia, she added.

The vice premier encouraged the youths of the two countries to hone their skills, improve their personal qualifies and take responsibilities with courage.

She also called on Chinese and Russian youths to combine their own dreams with the revitalization of their motherlands as well as with world peace and prosperity.

They should also make full use of their intellectual power to inject fresh vigor into the development of bilateral friendship and cooperation, urged the vice premier.

Gu Xiulian, director of China National Committee for the Wellbeing of the Youth, and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets also attended the forum.

Later Sunday, Liu and Golodets attended an art show presented by Chinese and Russian young performers.