BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- China hopes to strengthen tourism cooperation with Russia to bring the total number of mutual tourists to 5 million by 2015, Vice Premier Wang Qishan said while meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladislav Surkov on Friday at the Great Hall of the People.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (R), also Chinese chairman for the "China-Russia Tourism Year", shakes hands with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov, also Russian chairman for the tourism year, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2012. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

Wang said China has always regarded its relationship with Russia as a priority for its diplomatic agenda and is willing to work with Russia to fully implement a ten-year development plan for China-Russia relations.

Wang said China and Russia have complementary tourism markets and rich tourism resources, laying a sound foundation for cooperation in the field.

"Sino-Russian tourism cooperation now has unprecedented opportunities. The 'tourism year' initiatives will expand consumption, help boost our economies and benefit both peoples," Wang said.

Surkov said Russia attaches great importance to developing relations with China and is willing to further promote bilateral cooperation in all fields.

He said he fully agrees with Wang's proposal on tourism cooperation and welcome more Chinese tourists to Russia.

"Russia also welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest in tourism and infrastructure, and at the same time hopes to promote the two countries' high-tech cooperation through tourism," he said.

Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan (4th R), also Chinese chairman for the "China-Russia Tourism Year", meets Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vladislav Surkov (4th L), also Russian chairman for the tourism year, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, March 23, 2012. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)