BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhuanet) -- During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Russia in March this year, the two countries pledged to raise the total number of their students in each other's countries to 100,000 by 2020.

True to the goal, today many Russian students are taking courses not just in Beijing, but cities all over China. CCTV reporter Guan Yang finds out in northeast China, just how these foreign students are getting on.

Just how difficult is it to learn Chinese? To some foreigners, it's the most difficult challenge for them after arriving in China. These Russian students certainly think so. They're on an education exchange program, that's aimed at building bridges between the two young generations.

"I am still not too sure if I will work in Russia or China after graduation. But being able to speak Mandarin is a great advantage for securing a job in both countries, as more Chinese companies have set up branches in my country. The opportunities are out there," said Nasijia, Russian student.

China and Russia are marking 2014 as a Youth Year of Friendship Exchanges. It's still a couple of months away, but the two countries already have a long history of sending students to each other's universities and colleges. And certain subjects are particular draws.

"Russian students display great interest towards the traditional Chinese culture, which is a good motivation for them to improve their Chinese. During the dragon boat festival just passed, they sat together with us and learned the traditions behind the festival, said Du Linli, associate dean of institute of int'l education of Liaoning university.

Just after the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese government sent more than 10,000 students to the Soviet Union. Half a century on, and this tradition of exchanges is still very much alive.

"In our university alone, we are seeing more and more Russian students enrolling in various courses. Their teachers will even take the flight to China and help them to settle down in campus. And the course credits are recognized by both sides as well, said Du.

After all, it is these people to people contacts that help cement the Sino-Russian strategic partnership.

With each being the other's most important strategic partner, the China-Russia relationship has grown into a paragon of major-country ties on the world stage. And today's education exchanges will let these youngsters from both sides find common ground from an early state.