Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for efforts to further release the potential of cultural cooperation between China and Russia and jointly open up a new future of bilateral cultural exchanges.

Xi made the remarks while attending the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Years of Culture and a special concert celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties in Beijing. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on a two-day state visit to China, was also in attendance.

Noting that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties, Xi said that the history of China-Russia relations over the past three quarters of a century shows that consolidating and developing bilateral lasting good-neighborliness and friendship, comprehensive strategic coordination and mutually beneficial cooperation serve the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples and conform to the expectations of the international community and the trend of the times, which has irreplaceable significance.

Xi said that holding theme years in each other's countries 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 bilateral relations, which has been widely welcomed by the two peoples.

"Last year, President Putin and I agreed to make 2024 and 2025 the China-Russia Years of Culture. The two sides officially launched this cultural event today," Xi said, adding that the two countries will hold a series of cultural exchange programs to further release the potential of bilateral cultural cooperation and jointly open up a new future of China-Russia cultural exchanges.

It is believed that it will inject new impetus into the course of carrying forward China-Russia friendship from generation to generation, enhancing mutual understanding and building a closer bond between the two peoples, Xi said.

Hailing the two countries' national music, Xi said the concert will serve as a splendid chapter in the mutual learning and exchange of culture between China and Russia.

He called on the two countries to take the China-Russia Years of Culture as an opportunity and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties as a new starting point to better promote the two countries' comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.

Hailing the friendship between the two countries, Putin said Russia-China relations, based on mutual equality, mutual benefit and win-win results, have promoted their respective development and benefited the two peoples, setting a prime example for international relations.

The Russian side is ready to deepen people-to-people and cultural exchanges with China and enhance mutual understanding to push for the continuous upgrading of bilateral cooperation, he said.

The two heads of state enjoyed a performance presented by artists from China and Russia.

(With input from Xinhua)