The full Russian version of two Chinese history classics - "Shiji" and "Zhouli", have been published in Russia, said the Chinese embassy in Moscow Wednesday.

"Shiji", a Chinese chronicle also known as "The Records of the Grand Historian", is the masterpiece of Si Maqian, a court astrologer during the Han Dynasty. It has been partially translated in French, English and some other European languages.

The Russian version of "Shiji", translated by the late Russian Sinologist Rudolf Vyatkin and his son who devoted themselves to this work for 40 years since 1972, is the first full version in European language, which contains not only the whole volume of the original but also detailed notes for Russian readers' better understanding.

"Zhouli", or "Rites of Zhou", is a Confucian classic. Its Russian version was completed by another Russian famous Sinologist Stanislav Kuchera.

Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui, who attended the promotion event of these Chinese classics in Moscow, expressed his appreciation to Russian Sinologists for their great efforts in study and spreading Chinese culture. He said China is willing to continue working closely with Russian side to strengthen Chinese studies and cultural exchanges.

The publication of "Shiji" and "Zhouli" in Russia was the result of cooperation between China's Oriental Literature Publishing House and the Institute of Oriental Studies under Russian Academy of Sciences, which is the largest and oldest Chinese study center in Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency March 31, 2011)