Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao met with visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov on Friday, ahead of the festivities to mark the "Year of the Russian Language" in China.

The two nations will hold more than 260 cultural exchange programs in 14 provinces, four autonomous regions and four municipalities in China this year, slated as the "Year of the Russian Language".

The activities include language and singing contests, art performances, literature and arts exhibitions, and the launch of a Russian language TV channel.