The III International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” has concluded its work in Kazan. Over two days, the forum confirmed its status as one of the key platforms for developing dialogue and practical interaction between Russia and China.
The forum hosted 77 business sessions across 17 thematic areas and approximately 100 events of various levels.
Over 10,000 people registered to participate in the discussions, including representatives of government, business, science, and culture from 40 countries worldwide, 68 regions of the Russian Federation, and delegations from 28 administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China.
“In recent years, the Russian-Chinese relations, with a history spanning over 400 years, have reached an unprecedented level of trust and mutual understanding. Tatarstan, at its level, is making a significant contribution to the development of the Russian-Chinese cooperation,” emphasized Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan.
In 2025, China was represented by 10 official delegations from 7 Chinese provinces (Hubei, Shandong, Jilin, Chongqing, Hunan, Sichuan, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region).
“Tatarstan is becoming more attractive to Chinese entrepreneurs. An important platform for building connections between our companies is being created here. The republic has many advantages: very good investment conditions and pro-active leadership. Many of our enterprises intend to come here and establish joint plants for producing equipment, engineering machinery, cement, and so on,” highlighted Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation.
An important part of the Forum was the Russia China Expo, with an exhibition area of 10,000 sq.m., showcasing achievements and promising projects in bilateral cooperation. The exhibitors included 22 Chinese and 71 Russian companies.
“For trade between Russia and China, platforms like the SPROUTS Forum are essential. It brings together representatives from Russian regions, Chinese provinces, and businesses,” said Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
The Forum featured about 200 major Chinese companies, representing a wide range of industries – from energy and heavy industry to shipping, logistics, and construction.
The culmination of the forum witnessed the signing of 34 cooperation agreements in a wide variety of fields: industry, energy, logistics, tourism, science, and culture.
This year, the forum attracted significantly more Chinese companies than ever. According to Zhou Liqun, Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia, over 50 companies from this organization alone participated, and no fewer than 13 signed cooperation agreements.
The signing of a sister-city agreement between Kazan and the Chinese city of Wuhan attracted special attention. This document marked a new step in the development of sister-city ties between the capital of Tatarstan and China.
Furthermore, a Center for the Promotion of Chinese Investment was opened in Kazan, which will serve as a permanent hub for attracting Chinese business to Tatarstan.
The Forum offered a rich cultural and sports program, which highlighted the importance of the values common to humanity.
On August 17, the national Chinese Dragon Boat Festival celebration, the Chinese Sabantuy, was held on Lake Nizhny Kaban. It opened with a hydrangea planting ceremony attended by a delegation from China and representatives of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan. The same day also featured table tennis competitions for young athletes and the traditional amateur tournament “Evening League” of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia. The jubilee XV Charity Golf Tournament for the Rais Cup of the Republic was held at the Ak Bars Golf Club.
On August 18, the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre hosted the grand opening of the Cross-Cultural Zone, a symbol of friendship and mutual understanding between Russia and China. The same venue also saw the most massive chess tournament in the forum's history, between teams from sister cities and partner cities of Russia and China, which brought together 186 young players under the age of 20 from 31 Chinese and Russian cities. A record 1,954 games were played within 90 minutes.
Also, as part of the Forum, the winners of the BRICS and SCO Young Leaders Award were announced in five categories: Young Media Influencer of the Year, Social Initiative of the Year, Research and Innovation of the Year, Public Diplomacy Project of the Year, and Eco-Initiative of the Year. The award brings together bright young representatives from BRICS and SCO countries who have contributed to societal development on an international level.
The III International Forum “SPROUTS” proved to be a significant event, highlighting the demand for such a platform to strengthen business and humanitarian ties between Russia and China. The forum's outcomes confirm that Tatarstan is playing an increasingly prominent role in the development of bilateral partnership.
The next, IV International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” is scheduled to return to Kazan on August 17-18, 2026.
ANPO Directorate of International Programmes is the operator responsible for preparing and holding the SPROUTS Forum.
Official website of the SPROUTS Forum: https://russiachinaforum.com
The forum hosted 77 business sessions across 17 thematic areas and approximately 100 events of various levels.
Over 10,000 people registered to participate in the discussions, including representatives of government, business, science, and culture from 40 countries worldwide, 68 regions of the Russian Federation, and delegations from 28 administrative divisions of the People's Republic of China.
“In recent years, the Russian-Chinese relations, with a history spanning over 400 years, have reached an unprecedented level of trust and mutual understanding. Tatarstan, at its level, is making a significant contribution to the development of the Russian-Chinese cooperation,” emphasized Rustam Minnikhanov, Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan.
In 2025, China was represented by 10 official delegations from 7 Chinese provinces (Hubei, Shandong, Jilin, Chongqing, Hunan, Sichuan, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region).
“Tatarstan is becoming more attractive to Chinese entrepreneurs. An important platform for building connections between our companies is being created here. The republic has many advantages: very good investment conditions and pro-active leadership. Many of our enterprises intend to come here and establish joint plants for producing equipment, engineering machinery, cement, and so on,” highlighted Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation.
An important part of the Forum was the Russia China Expo, with an exhibition area of 10,000 sq.m., showcasing achievements and promising projects in bilateral cooperation. The exhibitors included 22 Chinese and 71 Russian companies.
“For trade between Russia and China, platforms like the SPROUTS Forum are essential. It brings together representatives from Russian regions, Chinese provinces, and businesses,” said Taliya Minullina, Head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency.
The Forum featured about 200 major Chinese companies, representing a wide range of industries – from energy and heavy industry to shipping, logistics, and construction.
The culmination of the forum witnessed the signing of 34 cooperation agreements in a wide variety of fields: industry, energy, logistics, tourism, science, and culture.
This year, the forum attracted significantly more Chinese companies than ever. According to Zhou Liqun, Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia, over 50 companies from this organization alone participated, and no fewer than 13 signed cooperation agreements.
The signing of a sister-city agreement between Kazan and the Chinese city of Wuhan attracted special attention. This document marked a new step in the development of sister-city ties between the capital of Tatarstan and China.
Furthermore, a Center for the Promotion of Chinese Investment was opened in Kazan, which will serve as a permanent hub for attracting Chinese business to Tatarstan.
The Forum offered a rich cultural and sports program, which highlighted the importance of the values common to humanity.
On August 17, the national Chinese Dragon Boat Festival celebration, the Chinese Sabantuy, was held on Lake Nizhny Kaban. It opened with a hydrangea planting ceremony attended by a delegation from China and representatives of the Government of the Republic of Tatarstan. The same day also featured table tennis competitions for young athletes and the traditional amateur tournament “Evening League” of the Table Tennis Federation of Russia. The jubilee XV Charity Golf Tournament for the Rais Cup of the Republic was held at the Ak Bars Golf Club.
On August 18, the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Centre hosted the grand opening of the Cross-Cultural Zone, a symbol of friendship and mutual understanding between Russia and China. The same venue also saw the most massive chess tournament in the forum's history, between teams from sister cities and partner cities of Russia and China, which brought together 186 young players under the age of 20 from 31 Chinese and Russian cities. A record 1,954 games were played within 90 minutes.
Also, as part of the Forum, the winners of the BRICS and SCO Young Leaders Award were announced in five categories: Young Media Influencer of the Year, Social Initiative of the Year, Research and Innovation of the Year, Public Diplomacy Project of the Year, and Eco-Initiative of the Year. The award brings together bright young representatives from BRICS and SCO countries who have contributed to societal development on an international level.
The III International Forum “SPROUTS” proved to be a significant event, highlighting the demand for such a platform to strengthen business and humanitarian ties between Russia and China. The forum's outcomes confirm that Tatarstan is playing an increasingly prominent role in the development of bilateral partnership.
The next, IV International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” is scheduled to return to Kazan on August 17-18, 2026.
ANPO Directorate of International Programmes is the operator responsible for preparing and holding the SPROUTS Forum.
Official website of the SPROUTS Forum: https://russiachinaforum.com