Xi, Putin celebrate launch of China-Russia Sci-Tech Innovation Year

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) shakes hands with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin ahead of their talks in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. /Xinhua

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday sent congratulatory letters respectively for the opening of the China-Russia Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation.

China and Russia launched the Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation as planned, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the high level and distinctiveness of the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era between the two countries, Xi noted in his letter.

As major responsible countries with significant influence in the fields of science and technology, China and Russia should promote extensive exchanges and cooperation between their researchers and contribute to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, he said.

Xi Jinping: China, Russia should safeguard global public health security

Chinese medical experts pose for a photo before boarding a plane bound for Russia to help the country fight COVID-19 at an airport in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 11, 2020. /Xinhua

In his letter, Putin said that scientific and technological innovation is one of the areas with the most promising prospects for cooperation between Russia and China. It determines the future of the two countries and concerns the improvement of their peoples' livelihood, he added.

Within the framework of the Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation, there will be a variety of cooperation projects, including scientific research, exhibitions, and academic exchanges, according to the Russian president. He noted that the two sides have conducted close cooperation in fighting COVID-19 and achieved important outcomes.

During Xi's visit to Russia in June last year, the two leaders jointly announced the decision to designate 2020 and 2021 as the "Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation" in each other's country.

The China-Russia Year of Scientific and Technological Innovation was launched via video link on Wednesday. Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova attended the opening ceremony.

This is another themed year between China and Russia after previous programs centered on national exchanges, languages, tourism, youth exchange, media, and other exchanges at the sub-national level.