Chinese President Hu Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin attended the ceremony with numbers of high-ranking officialsof the two countries.

Delivering a speech at the ceremony, Hu said the Year of Russiain China and the Year of China in Russia, which was scheduled in 2007, were major steps that the two countries set to deepen friendship, enhance cooperation and promote the China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation.

"China and Russia are friendly neighbors which are connected byrivers and mountains and the friendship between the two countries had a long history," Hu said.

The Chinese people would not forget Russia's help during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945), he noted. "Many courageous Russian people have sacrificed their precious lives on the Chinese land."

Hu also expressed appreciation to Russia for its assistance to the People's Republic of China after it was founded in 1949.

"The friendship, which was forged and consolidated with blood and sincerity, will be engraved deeply at the hearts of the two peoples and becomes an important source of strength to boost the development of bilateral ties."

Hu also hailed the 10-year-old China-Russia strategic partnership of cooperation, saying that such a relationship has turned over a new page of China-Russia ties.

Hu and Putin announced the beginning of the Year of Russia fromJan.1 in 2006 when exchanging New Year's greetings. The two presidents exchanged views on a number of occasions and organizingcommittees were set up in both countries.

China's organizing committee was established in November last year, with Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi as the chairwoman and 10 task forces established.

"The Year of Russia includes more than 200 programs, covering all fields like industrial projects, research and exchanges," Putin said in his speech at the ceremony.

Putin said a key purpose of the activities is to diversify bilateral trade and expand economic cooperation.

He said both Russian and Chinese governments, business sectors,art circles as well as citizens have made great efforts to support the programs. "A record-high number of people have joined the efforts of implementing the programs."

Putin highlighted the Russia-China ties, saying that the relationship is not only a key factor in maintaining stability in geopolitics, but also an example in exploring international cooperation.

"The relationship (between Russia and China) is not targeted at any third country. It helps perfect world order," Putin said.

Prior to the ceremony, Hu and Putin had held hour-long talks. Atotal of 15 documents were signed after their talks, including three on energy cooperation.

The two countries also issued a joint statement, pledging to tighten ties by furthering cooperation in politics, energy and regional affairs.

Putin arrived in Beijing on Tuesday morning for a two-day state visit to China. On Thursday, he is expected to meet with Chinese top legislator Wu Bangguo and Premier Wen Jiabao.