China and Russia, the two largest neighbors on the Eurasian continent, have long enjoyed a friendship that dates back to pre-millennium years. But it has been during the 21st century that strong ties between the two have manifested in ever more domains.

That's how Vice Premier Li Keqiang described the current state of Sino-Russian relations in a recent visit to Russia.

And Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said China's economic growth is by no means a threat. He said Russia should instead "catch the Chinese wind in the sails of its own economy."

Last year marked the 10th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Good Neighborliness and Friendship Cooperation.

Trade between the two stood at $79 billion in 2011, and is expected to reach $100 billion by 2015.

At the Sanya BRICS summit last year, President Hu Jintao met with Russian President Medvedev, where they agreed to expand oil and gas projects from West Siberia to China.

On November 2010, the two countries decided to renounce the U.S. dollar and use their own national currencies for bilateral trade. A move aimed to protect the domestic economy from the fallout of the 2008 global financial crisis.

Cultural exchanges between the two peaked in 2006 and 2007. More than 300 activities were held in China in 2006 to celebrate the Year of Russia. And in the Year of China, more than 200 events were carried out in Russia.

Military exchanges and cooperation have also expanded. In late last month, China and Russia launched their first joint naval exercises. Friendship and understanding between the two militaries grew not only in their drills, but also on the stage.

Analysts believe the two countries will continue to cooperate more closely in many areas.

(CNTV.cn May 7, 2012)