BEIJING -- Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met a high-ranking female delegation from Russia on Thursday.

Wu Bangguo, China's top legislator shakes hands with Svetlana Orlova, Vice-Chairperson of the Federal Assembly of Russia in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 19, 2006.  [Xinhua]

The delegation, headed by Svetlana Orlova, vice-chair of the Federation Council of Russia, is in Beijing for the third China-Russia Women's Culture Week, one of the main activities celebrating the Year of Russia in China.

Wu said he believed the culture week would add further vitality to the content of the Year of Russia in China.

Wu, the Chinese top legislator, spoke positively of the work done by the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the Women of Russia Bloc, saying they have contributed to the friendship between the women of both countries.

Orlova said she would continue to promote extensive communication and friendly exchanges between the women organizations and the non-government organizations of the two countries.

The non-governmental exchanges play a very active part in developing Russia-China relations, she noted.

Gu Xiulian, chair of the ACWF, also attended the meeting.

The third China-Russia Women's Culture Week is being held in Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou from October 19 to 25. The first culture week was held in Beijing and Shanghai in 2002, the second in Moscow and St.Petersburg in 2004.