Shanghai is preparing for its largest ever cultural exchange event with a foreign city as it prepares to celebrate St. Petersburg Week.

As a major feature in China's Year of Russia, St. Petersburg Week will begin on April 17, said Jiao Yang, a municipal government spokesman.

A 300-member delegation from St. Petersburg will take part in 14 events, ranging from official meetings, economic and trade talks, cultural performances and sports event during the week.

The exhibition of St. Petersburg's attractions will include an orchestra, choral and dance troupes.

Also scheduled are the Russian Royal Costume Show, a Russian Cuisine Fair and martial art and swordplay contests between Russian and Chinese players.

Jiao said the activities are expected to boost friendship between the people of the two countries, and lead to still broader cooperation between the two cities.

(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)