Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov delivers a speech on the opening ceremony of "Moscow Beijing Week" in Beijing National Culture Theatre in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2006. The "Moscow Beijing Week" kicked off on Saturday, with Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan and his counterpart, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov taking part in the opening ceremony.

"Moscow Week in Beijing", one of the important programs under the framework of the "Year of Russia" in China, concluded with the performance of some Russian artists here Sunday.

In addition to the performance, the six-day program also includes a China-Russia business seminar, a huge exhibition about the modern Moscow, and the publication of a book about the friendship and history between the two capital cities.

The program, the biggest one since Beijing and Moscow forged sister city relationship in 1995, also attracted Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov who led a huge delegation with 249 members to visit Beijing

According to official information, a "Beijing Week in Moscow" is scheduled to be held in the Russian capital next year.

Beijing and Moscow enjoyed a honey moon during the 1950s, but it soon ended as the two Communist countries disputed over ideological and realistic issues.

However, a lot of Soviet-style architectures have survived the hardship times and still stood for elder people to pay homage to this big nation neighbouring China.

Beijing and Moscow restored relations through the late 1980s and early 1990s as they realized they had the same interests in the new period.

During the "Year of Russia" in China, the two countries have launched dozens of economic and cultural exchanges in different Chinese provinces and cities to boost mutual trust.

Amid a "Russia fever", many Chinese people said that they have become interested in Russian songs, dances and books again, and the Russian people have listed China as one of the top three friends in the world.

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