LIU SHIZHAO / FOR CHINA DAILY

Zhu Ling, publisher of China Daily, wrote in the album's preface: "Thanks for photographers from both China and Russia, especially Prime Minister Medvedev, you turn your eyes on profound and sophisticated Chinese culture, on the rapid development of China ... In short, you zoom in on the positive energy of this old and civilized country."

Dai Bingguo, former state councilor, also wrote in the preface for the photo book. He said that this year is "China-Russia Media Exchange Year", adding that the cooperation project between China Daily and Rossiyskaya Gazeta has "done a good deed" to further mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries. "It will help our friends know China and focus on China," he said.

Alexey Volin, vice-minister of the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation, said that the joint project was a successful experiment that "shows territorial and linguistic barriers cannot become real obstacles for people who expect to see and understand each other".