A delegation of the Russian Information Agency (RIA), Russia's state news agency, paid a visit to China to step up media exchanges and cooperation, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

 

The head of the delegation, RIA Vice-president Andrei Iliashenko, said relations between the RIA and the Chinese media have developed rapidly in recent years.

 

In a meeting with the delegation, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Li Hui briefed them on the current "Russia Year" in China, China's peaceful development policy and the China-Russia cooperation in environmental protection.

 

Li expressed his appreciation for the RIA's efforts in reporting on China and China-Russia relations. He hoped RIA could provide objective reports about China to the Russian people to deepen bilateral understanding and friendship.

 

Iliashenko said the RIA will work with the Chinese media to report on the "China Year" in Russia in 2007.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 18, 2006)