BEIJING, March 11 (Xinhua) -- Xinhua News Agency and Russia's Tass news agency pledged to further strengthen their cooperation in a meeting between heads of the two agencies here on Friday.

Xinhua and Tass, as national news agencies of the two countries, should strengthen friendly cooperation to promote the development of China-Russia relations and the mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, said President of Xinhua Cai Mingzhao, when meeting with Director General of Tass Sergey Mikhaylov.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of cooperation between Xinhua and Tass. The two agencies are preparing celebrating activities such as photographic exhibition.

Cai said he hoped the two sides could make those activities a success and make them important parts of the China-Russia Media Exchange Year.

Mikhaylov said Xinhua is an important cooperative partner of Tass. Their cooperation has broad prospect. He hoped the two sides could further enhance cooperation to promote the development of relations between the two countries.