A series of "Experience China" cultural activities kicked off here on Friday in an effort to help more Russian people understand China.

Liu Qibao, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attended the launching ceremony of the program entitled "Experience China in Russia," and declared the opening of the China Pavilion set up at the St. Petersburg State University of Economics.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, also visited at the university a photo exhibition about China-Russia joint fights against the fascists during the World War II, which depicted the friendship forged between the two peoples during the World Anti-Fascist War.

Jiang Jianguo, director of China's State Council Information Office, said in his speech at the ceremony that the program has brought rich materials about China to Russia, which both recalled the history and looked into the future. He said he hoped the program would boost the friendship of both peoples.

The China Pavilion at the university was the first in its kind that opened in Russia. It boasts about 2,000 different publications about Chinese politics, economy and culture.