Music students from Kazan. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province, and Kazan, the third most populous city in Russia after Moscow and St Petersburg, held an online music exchange event on May 4 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their sister-city relationship, local media reported.

The two cities, both with rich historical and cultural heritages, became sister cities in 2003. They have achieved fruitful results through friendly exchanges and practical cooperation, as well as mutual understanding and sincerity.

Young people from Hangzhou and Kazan respectively performed music works with Chinese and Russian characteristics during the event.

The Chinese Consul General in Kazan Xiang Bo offered his congratulations on the 20th anniversary of the friendship between the two cities. Addressing the online event, Xiang said that Hangzhou and Kazan are both strong examples of cities with rich cultural heritage, unique development characteristics, and rapid economic and social development in their respective countries.

"I hope that through this music school exchange between the two cities, we can enhance mutual understanding and friendship between students on both sides so that more and more Chinese and Russian students can take on the responsibility of developing Sino-Russian friendship and contribute to the development of bilateral relations."

In the future, Hangzhou will continue to promote the fine tradition of friendly cooperation between China and Russia and strengthen youth exchanges to help the two cities learn from each other, local officials said.

Address from the Chinese Consul General in Kazan Xiang Bo. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]