The First Chinese-Russian Women's Culture Week opened in Beijing Monday as one of the activities to mark the first anniversary of the signing of the Sino-Russian Good-Neighborly Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

The culture week symbolized the aspirations of the Chinese and Russian peoples, including women, to always be good neighbors, partners and friends, said Peng Peiyun, vice-chairwoman of the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee and president of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF).

Such cultural exchanges would push forward the development of women in the two countries and friendship between the two peoples, she added.

Natalla Volodomanova, who headed the 50-strong Russian delegation to the festival, said the treaty has produced closer exchanges and cooperation in various fields, adding that the Russian side plans to set up a culture center in China and expand exchanges in sports and tourism.

The festival will include singing and dancing performances, art exhibitions, as well as climbing the Great Wall of China.

Before the opening ceremony, Peng had met with the Russian delegation.

The culture week was sponsored by the ACWF.

(Xinhua News Agency June 17, 2002)