The message said, in part:
“China Week in St. Petersburg is a fine gift to the city for its anniversary and a landmark in Russian-Chinese cultural dialogue.
“Russians have always treated the Chinese civilisation, one of the oldest civilisations of the world, with respect. The unique Chinese culture still attracts the attention of the Russian public today.
“This makes it essential to preserve and develop the priceless traditions of friendly cooperation in the social and cultural sphere and pass them on to younger generations. To know each other better, and to study each other’s heritage and current life is a way to increase the neighbourly understanding and mutual confidence of our nations, and to extend the social basis of Russian-Chinese contacts. The eventful programme of China Week makes another stride in this direction.”