The 2006 Sino-Russia Youth Games will be held in Tianjin from July 15 to 18.

As part of the Year of Russia programme, which involves nearly 200 events covering a broad spectrum of areas including economy, culture, technology and education, the event is one of the most significant co-operations between the two countries in the field of sports.

The "Year of Russia in China," scheduled for 2006, and the "Year of China in Russia," scheduled for 2007, were declared in a joint statement during Russian President Putin's visit to China last year.

Currently, the Youth Games is the only sports-related activity between the two nations.

"It is a new beginning for further co-operation and exchange, and will help develop the friendship between the teenagers of the two countries," said Feng Jianzhong, vice minister of the Stage General Administration of Sport.

The Games will feature 55 events in eight different sports, including volleyball, gymnastics, diving, synchronized swimming, shooting, table tennis, badminton and wrestling.

"Generally speaking, Russia is stronger than China in the different fields of sports. We have to learn from them. Russia has advanced systems in the realms of sports technology research and coach training," Feng said.

"They are also the traditional powerhouse in volleyball, gymnastics, synchronized swimming, shooting and wrestling. It is a good chance for our young athletes to compete with them," he added.

The Tianjin Municipal Government is also aware of the importance of holding a successful round of Games.

"It is a significant event in terms of sports and also in politics. We have been making extra efforts to make sure all the preparations will be complete by then," said Sun Hailin, vice mayor of Tianjin.

"We have rebuilt all of the stadiums and the programmes for the opening and closing ceremonies have come together well."

China and Russia started to strengthen sports exchange last year.

Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) Chairman Liu Peng met with a Russian Sports Delegation led by Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) Chairman Leonid Tyagachev last year and signed the "Agreement of Sino-Russia Sports Exchange and Cooperation."

The meetings and discussions at the Sixth Session of the China-Russia Co-operation Committee on Education, Culture, Health and Sports last year also aimed at further increasing co-operation in various fields.

Editor: Xu Shenglan