MOSCOW - China and Russia should continue to improve their relations by stepping up bilateral cultural and people-to-people exchanges, visiting Chinese Vice-Premier Li Keqiang said here Thursday.

During his meeting with representatives of friendly personnel from both countries, Li stressed that the friendship between the two peoples is a key and guarantee to the sustained development of the bilateral relations. ?

The vice premier stressed that the Sino-Russian friendship is broad-based and the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination would provide a broader platform for more contacts between the two peoples.

While extending appreciation of the efforts made by Chinese and Russian people in promoting the China-Russia friendship over various periods of time, Li said the Chinese government had attached great importance to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries and had made vigorous efforts in facilitating execution of diverse friendly activities with both countries concerned, so that the Sino-Russian friendship not only starts from more common people but also could continue to expand and prosper.

The Chinese vice premier encouraged more young people to carry forward the traditional friendship between the two countries and to become an important force in promoting bilateral ties. ?

During the meeting, youths from Russia and China also sang songs in the languages of the other country, expressing their aspiration to inherit and carry forward the China-Russia friendship.

Li arrived in Moscow Thursday for an official visit that will include meetings with Russia's top leaders.

Russia is the first leg of Li's trip, which will also take him to Hungary, Belgium and the EU headquarters in Brussels.