Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday both sent messages of congratulation to the opening ceremony of the Year of China-Russia Local Cooperation and Exchange.

Xi Jinping stressed that China and Russia are friendly neighbors linked by rivers and mountains and have a long history of friendship. "President Putin and I decided to hold the Year of China-Russia Local Cooperation and Exchange in 2018," Xi said.

The big event will stimulate the enthusiasm of local cooperation between the two countries, tap cooperation potential, and drive more people to join local enterprises devoted to friendly cooperation and common development between China and Russia, providing a strong impetus to the healthy and stable development of Sino-Russian relations.

Xi also stressed that both China and Russia are in an important period of national development and national rejuvenation. The two countries' blueprint for development is highly compatible and local cooperation is promising. "I believe that the two governments and all localities will work closely together and organize carefully, and make the Year of China-Russia Local Cooperation and Exchange become a new highlight of Sino-Russian relations," he added.

Russian President Putin said that the Sino-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership is developing rapidly, and both sides have continued to expand the scope of their cooperation, constantly enriching the content of cooperation.

He said that local cooperation is an important part of Sino-Russia relations. The Year of China-Russia Local Cooperation and Exchange is a continuation of the theme year tradition between the two sides, aiming at strengthening the relations and mutually beneficial cooperation between the Russia and China.

The two sides will hold hundreds of activities within the framework of Year of China-Russia Local Cooperation and Exchange, including investment promotion, trade, industrial and agricultural exhibitions, seminars, art festivals, mutual visits etc.

Representatives of the two countries will also actively exchange contacts in the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the Eastern Economic Forum and the China-Russia Expo. 

"Year of China-Russia Local Cooperation and Exchange will help both sides to implement the promising initiatives in various fields and fully develop the great potential of local cooperation," he added.