Russian, Chinese Journalists Kick Off Silk Road Trip in China

During the next two weeks, journalists from major Russian and Chinese media outlets will travel along the key points of the Silk Road Economic Belt, from Xi'an to Urumqi.

The media-tour was organized by Rossiya Segodnya international information agency and China Radio International.

The official opening ceremony was held at the Russian Embassy in China. Addressing to the participants of the project, Russian Ambassador to China Andrei Denisov underscored that the initiative would be an important part of the 2016-2017 Russian Chinese bilateral years.

"The format of the media-tours is relatively new but it has proved to be an efficient way of cooperation. The first motor rally by Russia and Chinese journalists from Beijing to Moscow took place some 10 year ago. Since that time, mutual visits by our journalists have been a good tradition. There is the possibility to get acquainted with the comprehensive and unique cultures of the two countries and take a look at their social and economic progress," he said.

In an interview with Sputnik China, Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev underscored that the media-tour is very important for both Russia and Chinese journalists.

"Of course, journalists who are going to spend several days as one team will have more confidence with each other. It’s one thing when countries have friendly relations but it’s quite another thing when journalists are friends. I believe that for each of you this is going to be an experience of a lifetime and it could change the trajectory, tone and temperature of your life. To be honest, I’m feeling envy of all the participants of this tour," he said.

The "Russia and China on the Silk Road" tour involves nearly 25 journalists from Russian and Chinese media. On Wednesday, the participants will arrive in Xi'an, once the starting point of the Great Silk Road. Then, they will travel 3,000 km through six cities in Shanxi and Guizhou provinces and end their trip in Urumqi.

In 2013, China announced a new economic development strategy dubbed "One Belt, One Road." It is aimed at developing infrastructure and building ties between Eurasian countries. The strategy includes two main parts – the land-based Silk Road Economic Belt and the oceangoing Maritime Silk Road. The point is to create a trade corridor for direct supplies from the East to the West with favorable conditions.

The current ties between Moscow and Beijing can be described as a large-scale equal partnership and strategic cooperation. The two countries are involved in an intense political dialogue. Russia and China share views and cooperate on a range of international issues, including the situation in the Middle East and North Africa.