- Today, the Kazan Expo IEC hosted the opening ceremony of the SPROUTS International Business Forum and Russia China Expo. Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, Alexander Sokolov, Kirov Region Governor, Liu Jun, Minister Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Russia, He Zhong Yu, Deputy Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Committee of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the PRC, Wang Jide, Chairman of the People's Political Consultative Council of Xi'an, and other distinguished guests took part in the opening ceremony of the forum and exhibition at the Kazan Expo IEC.
Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan noted that thanks to the personal efforts of the heads of Russia and China, there is a good opportunity to maximize work at the interregional level. “Just recently, Kazan hosted the BRICS summit, which was attended by a high Chinese delegation headed by the President of the People's Republic of China Mr. Xi Jinping. The main events were held in this exhibition complex. The warm meeting of the leaders of our countries was a good impetus for opening new horizons of Russian-Chinese cooperation,” he said.
- Rustam Minnikhanov together with the guests of honor opened the forum with a welcoming speech, and also visited the Russia China Expo exhibition and the cross-culture zone, tasted traditional Chinese drinks, evaluated the Chinese car brands – including the legendary premium-class cross-country car TANK 700 presented there.
- A stunning fashion show was held, which surprised all the spectators with bright images combining modernity and national flavor.
- More than 30 business conferences covering various topics such as industry, tourism, culture, agriculture, education and social environment took place during the forum.
- The guests were also introduced to a rich cultural program. Alongside various events at the forum site, guests and participants will attend the “Yellow Stork” concert, which combines two musical cultures - Russia and China.
- On the first day, 15 agreements were signed. Among them there are a framework agreement on cooperation in the field of agriculture between the Department of Agriculture of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan, the agreement on joint establishment of the Grain Hub, the memorandum of understanding between Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University and the Chinese Alliance for Quality Development of Future Education, Zhongyubo (Beijing) Technology Ltd, the agreement on strategic cooperation with the Beijing Information Vocational and Technical Center and he Russian-Chinese Foundation for Education Development “One Belt, One Road”, and agreements in the field of industrial and technological cooperation.