Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Russia Zhang Hanhui named Tatarstan one of the leading regions and key regional centers of Russia-China cooperation. The diplomat emphasized the republic’s role in developing investment, technological and interregional ties between the two countries.
According to Zhang Hanhui, Tatarstan combines a number of factors that make it particularly attractive to Chinese businesses: a favorable geographical location, well-developed logistics, a strong industrial base, and expertise in petrochemicals, automotive manufacturing and information technology, making it one of the leading regions and key regional centers of Russia-China cooperation.
The dynamics of trade and economic ties confirm the growing scale of cooperation. According to the General Administration of Customs of China, in January-July 2026, China-Russia trade increased by 26.3% to US$ 159.24 billion. At the same time, cooperation between the two countries is expanding beyond traditional sectors into the digital economy, green and low-carbon development, cross-border e-commerce, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and autonomous transport.
The ambassador cited the International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”, which will be held in Kazan for the fourth time in 2026, as an important platform for advancing these ties. According to him, in nearly three years the forum has developed into a significant platform for strengthening Russia-China trade, economic and interregional contacts.
This year, delegations from a number of regions and companies of the People’s Republic of China are expected to take part in the SPROUTS Forum. Alongside the business programme, the international Russia-China Expo will be held, and a Russia-China atlas for investors will be presented, providing information on regional support measures and the business climate for Chinese companies.
A separate area of cooperation receiving additional impetus in 2026-2027 is education and professional training. The Chinese side supported an initiative by Kazan Federal University and Shandong University to establish the China-Russia University of Advanced Technologies with the participation of universities and research organizations from both countries. The new institution will focus on energy and new materials, aerospace, computer science, medicine and healthcare.
Zhang Hanhui will personally take part in the opening ceremony and the business programme of the SPROUTS Forum, and will also speak at the plenary session on August 18 at 3:00 p.m.
“The Chinese side is ready to work together with the Russian side to further strengthen the forum’s brand influence, make effective use of this platform to expand cooperation, achieve new practical results and implement new projects, providing continuous impetus to trade and economic cooperation and interregional ties between the two countries,” said the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui.
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The International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will be held in Kazan on 16-19 August.
The business programme includes such areas as interstate dialogue, creative economy, medicine, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism, and construction.
The SPROUTS Business Forum confirmed its high status by receiving the EFEA Awards and becoming a laureate and finalist of the prestigious International Russian Event Awards.
ANO “Directorate of International Programmes” acts as an operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum.
Official of the SPROUTS Forum.
According to Zhang Hanhui, Tatarstan combines a number of factors that make it particularly attractive to Chinese businesses: a favorable geographical location, well-developed logistics, a strong industrial base, and expertise in petrochemicals, automotive manufacturing and information technology, making it one of the leading regions and key regional centers of Russia-China cooperation.
The dynamics of trade and economic ties confirm the growing scale of cooperation. According to the General Administration of Customs of China, in January-July 2026, China-Russia trade increased by 26.3% to US$ 159.24 billion. At the same time, cooperation between the two countries is expanding beyond traditional sectors into the digital economy, green and low-carbon development, cross-border e-commerce, biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence and autonomous transport.
The ambassador cited the International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”, which will be held in Kazan for the fourth time in 2026, as an important platform for advancing these ties. According to him, in nearly three years the forum has developed into a significant platform for strengthening Russia-China trade, economic and interregional contacts.
This year, delegations from a number of regions and companies of the People’s Republic of China are expected to take part in the SPROUTS Forum. Alongside the business programme, the international Russia-China Expo will be held, and a Russia-China atlas for investors will be presented, providing information on regional support measures and the business climate for Chinese companies.
A separate area of cooperation receiving additional impetus in 2026-2027 is education and professional training. The Chinese side supported an initiative by Kazan Federal University and Shandong University to establish the China-Russia University of Advanced Technologies with the participation of universities and research organizations from both countries. The new institution will focus on energy and new materials, aerospace, computer science, medicine and healthcare.
Zhang Hanhui will personally take part in the opening ceremony and the business programme of the SPROUTS Forum, and will also speak at the plenary session on August 18 at 3:00 p.m.
“The Chinese side is ready to work together with the Russian side to further strengthen the forum’s brand influence, make effective use of this platform to expand cooperation, achieve new practical results and implement new projects, providing continuous impetus to trade and economic cooperation and interregional ties between the two countries,” said the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui.
*****
The International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will be held in Kazan on 16-19 August.
The business programme includes such areas as interstate dialogue, creative economy, medicine, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism, and construction.
The SPROUTS Business Forum confirmed its high status by receiving the EFEA Awards and becoming a laureate and finalist of the prestigious International Russian Event Awards.
ANO “Directorate of International Programmes” acts as an operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum.
Official of the SPROUTS Forum.