Warm ties between countries mean no loss in translation

When I was given the assignment of arranging interviews with officials and organizations related to China in Moscow, what struck me first was worry, instead of the excitement I usually feel when going abroad.

I had been warned by some friends how difficult it is for a Chinese reporter, who cannot speak a word of Russian, to seek an interview with high-ranking officials, or even to ask people for directions.

However, my experience in the past week turned out to be totally the opposite.