Forty Chinese and Russian journalists set off from Beijing yesterday on a 16,000-kilometer road trip to discover the bonds between the two nations.

 

"This journey will be a long march carrying forward the China-Russia friendship," State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan said at the starting ceremony.

 

The journalists represent major media organizations, including China Radio International (CRI), which is organizing the activity, China Central Television, Xinhua News Agency, Itar-Tass, Russian First Channel, the Russian News and Information Agency and the Voice of Russia.

 

Traveling in 13 off-road vehicles, they will pass through more than 20 cities before finally reaching Red Square in Moscow in about 45 days.

 

The journalists will file reports on the progress and changes that Russia has experienced in recent years, and describe the friendship between the two peoples.

 

"These reports will help deepen the mutual understanding between the peoples, and contribute to the development of China-Russia relations," Tang said.

 

An important part of the "Year of Russia in China," the press mission is the first of its kind.

 

Russian Minister-Counselor in China Igor Morgulov said at the starting ceremony, "This journey of friendship will help Chinese people know more about Russia's development."

 

CRI President Wang Gengnian said the trip was also a journey of discovery of present-day Russia.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 26, 2006)