China presents Garden of Friendship to Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg's Garden of Friendship was declared open yesterday after an official ceremony on Liteiny Prospect. As a Rosbalt correspondent was informed by the press office of the city's governor, the garden is a gift to Saint Petersburg from its Chinese twin-city Shanghai on its 300th anniversary. Incidentally, December 15 will also mark the 15th anniversary of the two cities' partnership.

Trade turnover between Saint Petersburg and China came to USD 428.7 million in 2002 (4th place among the city's foreign trading partners). Export to China increased last year and totalled USD 275.3 million. Import rose by 70% year-on-year and came to USD 153 million.