China on Friday opened a consulate-general in Irkutsk, which the Chinese ambassador to Russia said would inject new impetus into China-Russia cooperation at a regional level.

Ambassador Li Hui said during the opening ceremony that the planning outline of regional cooperation between northeast China and the Russian Far East Region and Eastern Siberia, which was signed in September, was of significant importance to boosting cooperation between the bordering areas of the two countries.

The opening of the consulate-general in Irkutsk as a key event in bilateral relations, conformed with the strong desire cherished by the two peoples to enhance exchanges and cooperation and reflected the demand accompanying the rapid development of bilateral ties, Li added.

Guo Min, Consul General of the consulate-general in Irkutsk, said the opening, which coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations between China and Russia, was a special gift for the two occasions.

The consulate-general would actively promote interaction and cooperation between its consular district and China in various fields, including the economy, scientific technology, culture and education, thus further advancing mutual understanding and friendly ties between the two peoples, said Guo.

Some 200 representatives from the Irkutsk region, including Governor Dmitry Mezentsev, attended the unveiling ceremony. Government delegations sent by China's three Northeast provinces and the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region also took part in the ceremony.

The consular district of China's consulate-general in Irkutsk includes Russia's Irkutsk region, Zabaikalye Krai, as well as republics of Buryat, Tuva and Khakass.

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