The third China-Russia Women's Culture Week, one of the main activities celebrating the Year of Russia in China, kicked off in Beijing on Friday.

Women have been playing an important role in the exchanges between the Chinese and Russian peoples. Enhancing communication and cooperation between Chinese and Russian women will help boost understanding and friendship between the two countries, said Gu Xiulian, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China.

The culture week was a milestone in the history of exchanges between Chinese and Russian women, said Gu, also chairwoman of the All-China Women's Federation, at the opening ceremony.

Svetlana Orlova, vice-chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia, said her delegation would discuss political, economic and social issues with Chinese counterparts during the culture week.

The first two China-Russia Women's Culture Weeks were held in China in 2002 and Russia in 2004.

(Xinhua News Agency October 21, 2006)