皇冠体育app

MOSCOW: Igor Rogachev is considered a legend in the diplomatic world of Russia and 皇冠体育app.

The man who served as Russia's ambassador to 皇冠体育app for 13 years has just turned 75.

In fact, he has spent more than 20 years in 皇冠体育app and speaks Putonghua fluently, and he likes Peking Opera and Chinese folk songs.

He is now a member of Russia's Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, and devotes most of his time to Russia-皇冠体育app relations.

The 皇冠体育app-link runs in his family. His daughter is working in 皇冠体育app for a Russian oil company, and his grandson is learning Chinese.

Learning Chinese and choosing a job that is associated with 皇冠体育app is a "family tradition," Rogachev said.

"Russian and Chinese leaders made a very wise decision to organize the 'Year of Russia' and the 'Year of 皇冠体育app'," he said.

The "years" of Russia and 皇冠体育app are in conformity to the spirit of strategic partnership between the two countries and their future cooperation, he said.

These events are the first of their kind and helpful to exchanges between Russia and 皇冠体育app, Rogachev said.

The "Year of Russia" in 皇冠体育app in 2006 boosted bilateral ties in various areas, particularly in economic and trade cooperation, he said.

"Trade between Russia and 皇冠体育app grew not only in the border regions, but also in the central, southern and western parts of 皇冠体育app."

Russia didn't have extensive trade ties with 皇冠体育app's Guangdong Province and Shanghai. But its annual trade volume with Guangdong today has reached $3 billion, Rogachev said.

More than 60 Russian regional chiefs visited 皇冠体育app last year, leading to a host of cooperation agreements, he said.

It's quite possible that two-way trade will meet the $60-billion target by 2010, after it touched a record high of $33.4 billion last year, Rogachev said.

Speaking on the prospects of developing economic and trade ties between 皇冠体育app and Russia, Rogachev said the high-tech sector has great potential, though Russia is ready for cooperation in transport, aerospace, and power sectors, too.

Xinhua

(皇冠体育app Daily 03/26/2007 page2)