A plenary session of the 3rd International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” was held in Kazan under the theme “A Time-Tested Partnership: Looking to the Future”.
Speakers included the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov; Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov; Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in Transport Igor Levitin; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui; Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Sun Wei; Secretary-General of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products Guo Kuilong; Governor of Ulyanovsk Region Alexey Russkikh; Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia Zhou Liqun; and Chairman of the Board of Chengtong International and President of the Greenwood International Trade and Exhibition Complex Sun Bohui.
“For many years, China has been our leading foreign trade partner. Last year, we reached a record trade turnover of nearly $245 billion. Russia ranked seventh among China’s principal trading partners. At the same time, our trade is well balanced, with exports and imports comparable in volume,” noted Anton Alikhanov.
Among the priority sectors of cooperation, the Minister highlighted civil aircraft manufacturing, automotive production, radio-electronics, the chemical industry and metallurgy.
Rustam Minnikhanov spoke of Tatarstan’s significant contribution to the development of Russian–Chinese economic relations. “In recent years, Russian–Chinese relations, whose history spans more than 400 years, have reached an unprecedented level of trust and mutual understanding. At its level, Tatarstan makes a tangible contribution to strengthening this cooperation. Last year, our foreign trade turnover exceeded $3.3 billion. We are witnessing the steady development of joint projects. In recent years, China has become a key foreign investor in the republic’s economy. The share of Chinese investment in the structure of foreign investment in Tatarstan exceeded 80% last year. Our republic is expanding its portfolio of joint innovative and industrial projects with China, from mechanical engineering to high technologies in IT and energy,” he emphasised.
Zhang Hanhui stated that China and Russia possess vast markets and abundant resources, strong economic complementarity and clear geographical advantages. In recent years, interregional cooperation between the two countries has demonstrated “explosive growth”: mutual delegation visits have increased significantly, more sister-city partnerships have been established, and comprehensive cooperation has advanced in trade and the economy, education, culture, science and technology, and youth exchanges. He also underlined Tatarstan’s role in strengthening this partnership.
“The Republic of Tatarstan is distinguished by a high degree of openness and a favourable investment climate. Its exchanges and cooperation with various regions of China are broad, deep, practical and effective, yielding significant results. The republic has become one of the most active and dynamic regions of Russia in developing cooperation with China. Since last year, following visits to Kazan by President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders, interregional cooperation between China and Russia has gained renewed momentum and vitality. The Chinese Embassy in Russia stands ready to fully support the Republic of Tatarstan in continuing to leverage its unique advantages and to serve as a model in interregional cooperation, actively expanding collaboration with China across all sectors for the tangible benefit of the peoples of both countries,” Zhang Hanhui said.
Governor Alexey Russkikh noted that China is currently a key trading partner for Ulyanovsk Region, a trend that continues this year. “Our cooperation with Chinese partners delivers concrete results. Within the Port Special Economic Zone ‘Ulyanovsk’, we are implementing significant projects. Companies obtain resident status and benefit from preferential conditions. We see growing interest among Chinese companies in localising production in Ulyanovsk Region. Our response is to create optimal conditions for our partners. Ulyanovsk Region leads the Volga Federal District in the number of territories with preferential regimes. Today, the SPROUTS Forum has provided an excellent opportunity to identify new areas of cooperation with China,” he stated.
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The 3rd International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will take place in Kazan on 18–19 August. Participants from 32 countries, 59 regions of Russia and 24 territorial administrative divisions of China have registered. Eleven governmental delegations and no fewer than 200 Chinese corporations are expected to attend. Overall participation is estimated at around 10,000 people.
The business programme encompasses intergovernmental dialogue, the economy, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism and construction. The programme includes approximately 100 events, 70 of which are business sessions. Around 20 agreements are expected to be signed.
The Directorate of International Programmes is the operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum.
Official website: https://russiachinaforum.com.
Speakers included the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov; Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Anton Alikhanov; Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation and Special Presidential Representative for International Cooperation in Transport Igor Levitin; Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation Zhang Hanhui; Secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Communist Party of China and Chairman of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Sun Wei; Secretary-General of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products Guo Kuilong; Governor of Ulyanovsk Region Alexey Russkikh; Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia Zhou Liqun; and Chairman of the Board of Chengtong International and President of the Greenwood International Trade and Exhibition Complex Sun Bohui.
“For many years, China has been our leading foreign trade partner. Last year, we reached a record trade turnover of nearly $245 billion. Russia ranked seventh among China’s principal trading partners. At the same time, our trade is well balanced, with exports and imports comparable in volume,” noted Anton Alikhanov.
Among the priority sectors of cooperation, the Minister highlighted civil aircraft manufacturing, automotive production, radio-electronics, the chemical industry and metallurgy.
Rustam Minnikhanov spoke of Tatarstan’s significant contribution to the development of Russian–Chinese economic relations. “In recent years, Russian–Chinese relations, whose history spans more than 400 years, have reached an unprecedented level of trust and mutual understanding. At its level, Tatarstan makes a tangible contribution to strengthening this cooperation. Last year, our foreign trade turnover exceeded $3.3 billion. We are witnessing the steady development of joint projects. In recent years, China has become a key foreign investor in the republic’s economy. The share of Chinese investment in the structure of foreign investment in Tatarstan exceeded 80% last year. Our republic is expanding its portfolio of joint innovative and industrial projects with China, from mechanical engineering to high technologies in IT and energy,” he emphasised.
Zhang Hanhui stated that China and Russia possess vast markets and abundant resources, strong economic complementarity and clear geographical advantages. In recent years, interregional cooperation between the two countries has demonstrated “explosive growth”: mutual delegation visits have increased significantly, more sister-city partnerships have been established, and comprehensive cooperation has advanced in trade and the economy, education, culture, science and technology, and youth exchanges. He also underlined Tatarstan’s role in strengthening this partnership.
“The Republic of Tatarstan is distinguished by a high degree of openness and a favourable investment climate. Its exchanges and cooperation with various regions of China are broad, deep, practical and effective, yielding significant results. The republic has become one of the most active and dynamic regions of Russia in developing cooperation with China. Since last year, following visits to Kazan by President Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders, interregional cooperation between China and Russia has gained renewed momentum and vitality. The Chinese Embassy in Russia stands ready to fully support the Republic of Tatarstan in continuing to leverage its unique advantages and to serve as a model in interregional cooperation, actively expanding collaboration with China across all sectors for the tangible benefit of the peoples of both countries,” Zhang Hanhui said.
Governor Alexey Russkikh noted that China is currently a key trading partner for Ulyanovsk Region, a trend that continues this year. “Our cooperation with Chinese partners delivers concrete results. Within the Port Special Economic Zone ‘Ulyanovsk’, we are implementing significant projects. Companies obtain resident status and benefit from preferential conditions. We see growing interest among Chinese companies in localising production in Ulyanovsk Region. Our response is to create optimal conditions for our partners. Ulyanovsk Region leads the Volga Federal District in the number of territories with preferential regimes. Today, the SPROUTS Forum has provided an excellent opportunity to identify new areas of cooperation with China,” he stated.
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The 3rd International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will take place in Kazan on 18–19 August. Participants from 32 countries, 59 regions of Russia and 24 territorial administrative divisions of China have registered. Eleven governmental delegations and no fewer than 200 Chinese corporations are expected to attend. Overall participation is estimated at around 10,000 people.
The business programme encompasses intergovernmental dialogue, the economy, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism and construction. The programme includes approximately 100 events, 70 of which are business sessions. Around 20 agreements are expected to be signed.
The Directorate of International Programmes is the operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum.
Official website: https://russiachinaforum.com.