About Forum 2026

To the organizers, participants, and guests of the 3rd International Forum "SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation"

I warmly welcome the organizers, participants, and guests of the 3rd International Forum "SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation."
Held for the third time in hospitable Kazan, the Forum has established itself as a valuable platform for strengthening ties between Russian regions and Chinese provinces.
Interregional cooperation is an integral component of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, which is entering a new era. Successful examples include the work of the Volga-Yangtze Interregional Cooperation Council, which encompasses the constituent entities of the Volga Federal District and the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze River.
It is gratifying that the event's agenda, as always, is very rich, including business sessions and an extensive cultural program. One of its key elements is the Russia-China Expo international exhibition, dedicated to trade and economic relations between the two countries.
I would like to especially note that our meeting is taking place in the year marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Chinese people's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Our shared glorious history and comradeship in arms are called upon to further strengthen the atmosphere of friendship and trust between our peoples.
I am confident that the Forum will be constructive, and its results will contribute to the further development of Russian-Chinese humanitarian and economic cooperation and the unleashing of the potential of public diplomacy.
I wish you success and all the best.

Welcome address by Taliya Minullina, Chief Executive of the Tatarstan Investment Development
Agency and Secretary of the Organising Committee of the International Forum SPROUTS.
Dear friends,
It is especially symbolic that this Forum is being held in the year of the 25th anniversary of the
Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation between the Russian Federation
and the People’s Republic of China. Over the past quarter century, our countries have built
relations based on mutual respect, trust, and practical interaction. Today, this friendship is being
further developed at the level of regions, universities, businesses, and individuals.
China has long been a key international partner for Tatarstan. Over the past ten years, our
Republic’s trade turnover with China has grown almost thirteenfold. However, what is more
important is that these figures reflect real joint ventures, investments, scientific research,
educational projects, and human relationships.
That is why we created the SPROUTS Forum several years ago. This is a platform not only for
discussing cooperation but also for strengthening it. This is where entrepreneurs find partners,
scientists find like-minded people, regions find new growth points, and agreements turn into
active projects.
There is a Chinese proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” I
believe this proverb best captures the philosophy of the SPROUTS Forum. We are not looking for
quick wins. We are building partnerships that grow stronger with each passing year.
I am confident that, as always, guests will take from Tatarstan not only signed agreements but also
the understanding that people here know how to make friends, work hard, and keep their word.
Trust is becoming the most important asset of any international cooperation today.
May the SPROUTS Forum give each participant new ideas and projects that will last for years to
come.
Welcome to Tatarstan! Welcome to the SPROUTS Forum!

To the participants, organisers, and guests of the Friendly Chess Tournament between teams from twinned and partner cities of Russia and China as part of the 4^th International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”
Dear friends,
I am pleased to welcome the participants, organisers, and guests of the Friendly Chess Tournament between teams from twinned and partner cities of Russia and China!
For the city on the Neva River, chess is a special sport with its deep traditions. Mikhail Botvinnik, Boris Spassky, Anatoly Karpov, Aleksandr Khalifiman are legendary names making the golden age of the intellectual game and serve as a benchmark for many generations of chess players.
Sport has always united people around shared humanistic values, fostering trust and mutual understanding. The friendly chess match, being held as part of the 4^th International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”, aims to strengthen the friendship and partnership between our countries and peoples.
The team from the St. Petersburg Chess Federation will participate in the online tournament. Talented masters, ready to confirm the high standard of the renowned St. Petersburg school, will defend the honour of our city.
I wish all tournament participants beautiful games, inspiration, and brilliant victories!

Dear colleagues, dear friends!
I warmly welcome the organisers, participants, and guests of the International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”.
The Forum held in Kazan has become a unique platform for developing trade, economic, scientific, and cultural ties between the regions of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China.
The significant role of the SPROUTS Forum in strengthening international cooperation was highlighted at the meeting of the Volga-Yangtze Interregional Cooperation Council held in May 2025 under my co-chairmanship and the co-chairmanship of Mr. Zhang Guoqing, Vice-Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.
I am confident that the Forum’s comprehensive business programme will allow us to discuss current issues of international cooperation and foreign economic relations, sign new agreements, and establish strong business contacts.
This event will be an important step in the development of the Russian-Chinese comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction, as well as in strengthening the friendly relations between our peoples.
May every participant find reliable business partners here to implement new initiatives and projects!

Dear participants and guests of the 3rd International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”! The SPROUTS Forum has rightfully established itself as an effective event for strengthening economic cooperation between the Russian Federation and China. Today, when the stability and flexibility of economic ties are becoming key factors for development, the strategic partnership between our countries is demonstrating confident momentum. Last year, trade turnover between Russia and China reached a historic high. Regions, small and medium-sized businesses, and high-tech companies are actively participating in this process. The Government of the Russian Federation is paying special attention to expanding opportunities for Russian-Chinese cooperation. Together with our Chinese partners, we are working to create stable logistics routes, strengthen cross-border e- commerce, launch new production clusters, and facilitate digital business processes. The Republic of Tatarstan, as the organiser of the Forum, has significant potential for expanding cooperation with its Chinese partners. Tatarstan’s successful experience in developing high-tech sectors from petrochemicals and mechanical engineering to IT and biotechnology opens up broad prospects for joint projects with Chinese companies. We see enormous potential in production localisation, technology transfer, and joint research projects, particularly in the areas of industrial digitalisation, green technologies, and new materials. The SPROUTS Forum provides an excellent opportunity to discuss pressing challenges, exchange experiences, and formulate specific proposals to strengthen economic cooperation between our countries. I am confident that the upcoming Forum in Kazan will provide additional impetus for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation and good-neighborly ties between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. I wish the Forum participants constructive work, fruitful meetings, and inspiring ideas!

I welcome the participants, guests, and organisers of the International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”.
The Forum traditionally brings together representatives of government agencies, business circles, and the scientific and educational communities of our countries.
Bilateral trade, economic, scientific, technical, and cultural relations are steadily strengthening, facilitating the implementation of new joint ideas and initiatives.
The Intergovernmental Russian-Chinese Commission on Investment Cooperation is undertaking significant work, providing support for cooperation projects in industry, agriculture, transport and infrastructure, digital technologies, and e-commerce.
Particular attention is paid to developing interregional ties.
Such events as the SPROUTS Forum, held in Kazan, one of Russia’s leading industrial and scientific centres, play an important role in fleshing out the Russian-Chinese partnership, particularly in the area of ​​technological and industrial cooperation.
I am confident that the Forum discussions will spark new ideas that will form the basis of future projects.
I wish you fruitful work and success in achieving your goals.

Dear friends!
I am pleased to welcome you to the International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”, which is being held for the fourth time in hospitable Kazan.
Today, China is one of Tatarstan’s leading foreign economic partners. Joint projects in mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, logistics, agriculture, education, and high technology are successfully developing. At the same time, the potential for our cooperation is significantly broader, and the SPROUTS Forum opens up new opportunities for its further development.
Direct links between regions, cities, universities and enterprises play an important role in strengthening Russian-Chinese relations. This is how a solid foundation of cooperation is built, based on mutual trust and respect, striving for sustainable development.
I am confident that the Forum will foster the emergence of new projects, expand business ties, and strengthen the friendship between the peoples of Russia and China. I wish you the successful implementation of all your plans and enjoy your stay in Tatarstan!

To the organisers, participants, and guests of the 4^th International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”

Dear friends,

On behalf of the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation, I extend a warm welcome to the organisers, participants, and guests of the 4^th International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation.” The Forum in hospitable Kazan has established itself as a prestigious platform, where interregional ties are filled with specific projects and practical solutions.
It is symbolic that this meeting is taking place in the year of the 25^th anniversary of the Treaty on Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. Over the past quarter century, our countries have built a comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction.
This dynamic is underpinned by the daily work of the transport and logistics sector. Sustainable trade growth relies on the capacity of railway approaches and border crossings, the capacity of seaports and road checkpoints, and the regularity of air service. The development of transport infrastructure on the Russian-Chinese route remains an absolute priority for us.
The Eastern Polygon of railways and checkpoints is being consistently modernised, bridge traffic is increasing, and international transport corridors are being developed. Particular attention is being paid to the digitalisation of the transportation process, the simplification of administrative procedures, and the implementation of intelligent and unmanned transport technologies. Unmanned aerial systems are already plotting routes in low-altitude space, opening up a completely new dimension of speed and accessibility to logistics. The industry faces the challenge of translating this potential into systemic implementation, including through pilot projects in specific regions.
This ambitious task is the subject of a specialised session entitled “Low-Altitude Economy: A New Framework for Urban Mobility.” Representatives from the expert community, regions, and businesses will discuss specific steps toward a low-altitude future for logistics.
We see particular value in direct interaction between Russian regions and Chinese provinces. It is at this level that abstract agreements are transformed into specific routes, regular flights, and functioning logistics services. Direct connections between Russian regions and Chinese provinces shorten the path from initiative to its practical implementation, and the SPROUTS Forum provides the necessary platform for such dialogue.
The Republic of Tatarstan plays a significant role in this work. The M-12 “Vostok” high-speed highway and its development as part of the “Russia” route create modern overland access to the markets of Central Asia and China, while Kazan is cementing its status as a major multimodal hub in the Eurasian region.
I am confident that the Forum’s business programme and the Russia-China Expo will allow us to discuss current issues in transport and logistics cooperation, sign new agreements, and establish strong partnerships.
I wish the Forum participants productive work, constructive dialogue, and new joint projects for the benefit of strengthening friendly relations between the peoples of Russia and China!
 
A.S. Nikitin

The BRICS Summit, held in Kazan in 2024, hosted a meeting between President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. The Heads of states confirmed their desire to further strengthen the strategic partnership and expand cultural and economic ties between the two countries.
As part of strengthening bilateral cooperation between Russian regions and Chinese provinces, the annual International Forum "SPROUTS: Russia and China – mutually beneficial cooperation" has been initiated.
On August 17-18, 2026, the forum will be held for the fourth time. The Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center in Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, will once again become the venue of the event.
The forum's programme includes business sessions in 17 key areas, covering interstate dialogue, industry, education, economics, finance, transport, tourism, culture, interaction of business associations, as well as a cross-cultural area.
The central event will be the plenary session of the forum. In addition to the business part, guests will enjoy a reception with dishes of national cuisine, a concert by art masters, tournaments in the ancient Chinese game of Weiqi, and tennis, as well as a Chinese film festival and a coffee break in the format of a Chinese tea ceremony.
A special place in the programme is occupied by the Russia-China Expo international exhibition, a large-scale exposition with an area of 10,000 sq. m. dedicated to current areas of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China.
Traditionally, representatives of federal ministries, heads of provincial governments of the People's Republic of China, chairmen of Russian and Chinese companies, heads of constituent entities of the Russian Federation, as well as representatives of business associations and business circles of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China will participate in the Forum.
The 2025 Forum brought together about 10,000 participants from 40 countries, 68 subjects of the Russian Federation, and 28 administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China. 34 agreements have been signed.
The honorary guests of the forum last year were:
1.    Anton ALIKHANOV, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation;
2.    Yury MUTSENEK, State Secretary – Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation;
3.    Igor LEVITIN, Adviser to the President, Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in Transport;
4.    Dmitry VORONA, Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy;
5.    Rustam MINNIKHANOV, Head (Rais) of the Republic of Tatarstan;
6.    SONG Wei, Secretary of the Communist Party Group and Chairman of the People's Political Consultative Council of Hubei Province;
7.    TAN Zhouyan, Member of the Party Group of the Shandong Provincial People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Chairman of the Shandong Social Science Association;
8.    ZHANG Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation;
9.    GUO Kuilong, Secretary General of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce for the Import and Export of Engineering and Electronic Products.