Chinese Ambassador to Russia Li Hui (L) talks with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in the Chinese embassy in Moscow on Feb. 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Bai Xueqi)

MOSCOW, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday extended his greetings to the Chinese people for the Spring Festival or the Chinese Lunar New Year.

"This is really a main holiday, a great holiday. We are glad that today we have the opportunity to meet and convey our warmest words and wishes to the Chinese people," Medvedev told a gathering in the Chinese embassy in Moscow.

"We are hopeful that in the new year we will continue our effective contact to develop our strategic partnership and interaction that has distinguished our countries in recent years," he said.

Noting that this year marks the 70th year since the establishment of Russia-China diplomatic relations, Medvedev said his visit to the Chinese embassy "also has a symbolic meaning."

The Spring Festival, the most important holiday for the Chinese people to reunite with family and the start of the lunar new year, is currently underway in China.