Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Years of Education at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Wednesday.

Addressing the ceremony, Xi said that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, noting that launching the China-Russia Years of Education in a year of special significance is a strategic plan made by him and President Putin in view of the long-term development of China-Russia relations.

Education is an important bridge that connects the hearts of the people and carries forward the friendship between countries, and is a noble cause which will benefit generations to come, said Xi, noting that the continuously deepening and effective education cooperation over a long time enriched the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Xi called on the two sides to take the China-Russia Years of Education as an opportunity to further build the consensus, expand the scope and lift the level of cooperation.

Xi called for efforts from China and Russia to deepen cooperation to train top-notch talent, foster national strategic sci-tech strength, and solve problems in sci-tech frontiers to promote innovation of both countries.

Joint endeavors are needed to advance the inheritance of civilizations and the sharing of experiences in education governance, and unleash the potential of educational cooperation to cultivate younger generations who will carry forward the ever-lasting friendship between China and Russia, said Xi.

Putin said in his speech that educational cooperation is an important part of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, and the launch of the Russia-China Years of Education is of milestone significance.

Noting activities of the Russia-China Years of Education are rich in content and grand in scale, Putin said that Russia stands ready to work together with China to enhance mutual understanding among the younger generations through strengthening educational cooperation, so as to ensure that the friendship between Russia and China is carried forward by future generations for greater growth of ties.

Xi and Putin also unveiled the logo of the China-Russia Years of Education.