Aleksey Maslov: Tatarstan is setting trends in Russian-Chinese cooperation
Tatarstan is becoming one of the main centres of practical Russian-Chinese cooperation, setting new areas of collaboration, from artificial intelligence and personnel training to logistics and joint production. This was stated by Aleksey Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Professor, Doctor of Historical Sciences, and leading Russian expert on China and Asian countries, at the “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” Forum.
According to the expert, the next stage of Russia-China relations will be associated not so much with further expansion of trade as with attracting Chinese investment in Russian projects and promoting Russian products on the Chinese market. Among promising areas, he highlighted agriculture and agricultural products, cosmetics and personal care products, and the creation of vertically integrated Russian-Chinese enterprises.
“Relations between Russia and China are changing, they are not getting worse or better, they are simply changing their modality. And here we must understand that today, what is crucial for Russia is not simply establishing trade, we are doing well in this area, but attracting Chinese investment to Russia and bringing Russian products to China,” Aleksey Maslov noted.
He emphasised that Russian businesses are already gaining experience entering Chinese trading platforms, including in the agricultural, cosmetics, and organic goods sectors. According to the expert, a promising model could be cooperation in which a Russian company supplies technology or products, while a Chinese partner refines, manufactures, or commercialises them on the local market.
For Tatarstan, the expert identified several promising areas for collaboration with Chinese partners. These include technical and engineering education, the creation of “smart cities”, logistics, and the development of next-level technologies, including microprocessors and engineering solutions for artificial intelligence.
Aleksey Maslov cited artificial intelligence as a separate driver of cooperation. He noted that China is focusing not only on developing general-purpose AI models but also on the rapid implementation of specialised solutions in specific sectors, from telemedicine and education to urban infrastructure and transportation.
Tatarstan, according to Aleksey Maslov, occupies a special place in this system. The Republic is building cooperation not only with major Chinese companies but also with individual provinces, fostering sustainable interregional ties. The expert noted Tatarstan’s interactions with Shaanxi and Heilongjiang, as well as with China’s southern regions.
“Today, Tatarstan is setting trends in Russian-Chinese cooperation. Just a few years ago, it was difficult to imagine that the Republic would become a key platform for interaction with China. Today, this is already a reality: Tatarstan is developing cooperation not only in traditional industries but also in new areas such as technology, training, and artificial intelligence,” stated Aleksey Maslov.
According to him, one of Tatarstan’s competitive advantages is its established logistics flows, which he called some of the most technologically advanced in Russia. Another factor in the development of Russian-Chinese relations is political support for cooperation at the level of the Republic Leadership.
In the near future, Aleksey Maslov believes, the greatest progress is possible in the automotive industry, agriculture, and the production of cosmetics and personal care products. However, the potential for cooperation is much broader and includes technology projects, education, artificial intelligence, and joint production.
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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.
Tatarstan is becoming one of the main centres of practical Russian-Chinese cooperation, setting new areas of collaboration, from artificial intelligence and personnel training to logistics and joint production. This was stated by Aleksey Maslov, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Countries at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Professor, Doctor of Historical Sciences, and leading Russian expert on China and Asian countries, at the “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” Forum.
According to the expert, the next stage of Russia-China relations will be associated not so much with further expansion of trade as with attracting Chinese investment in Russian projects and promoting Russian products on the Chinese market. Among promising areas, he highlighted agriculture and agricultural products, cosmetics and personal care products, and the creation of vertically integrated Russian-Chinese enterprises.
“Relations between Russia and China are changing, they are not getting worse or better, they are simply changing their modality. And here we must understand that today, what is crucial for Russia is not simply establishing trade, we are doing well in this area, but attracting Chinese investment to Russia and bringing Russian products to China,” Aleksey Maslov noted.
He emphasised that Russian businesses are already gaining experience entering Chinese trading platforms, including in the agricultural, cosmetics, and organic goods sectors. According to the expert, a promising model could be cooperation in which a Russian company supplies technology or products, while a Chinese partner refines, manufactures, or commercialises them on the local market.
For Tatarstan, the expert identified several promising areas for collaboration with Chinese partners. These include technical and engineering education, the creation of “smart cities”, logistics, and the development of next-level technologies, including microprocessors and engineering solutions for artificial intelligence.
Aleksey Maslov cited artificial intelligence as a separate driver of cooperation. He noted that China is focusing not only on developing general-purpose AI models but also on the rapid implementation of specialised solutions in specific sectors, from telemedicine and education to urban infrastructure and transportation.
Tatarstan, according to Aleksey Maslov, occupies a special place in this system. The Republic is building cooperation not only with major Chinese companies but also with individual provinces, fostering sustainable interregional ties. The expert noted Tatarstan’s interactions with Shaanxi and Heilongjiang, as well as with China’s southern regions.
“Today, Tatarstan is setting trends in Russian-Chinese cooperation. Just a few years ago, it was difficult to imagine that the Republic would become a key platform for interaction with China. Today, this is already a reality: Tatarstan is developing cooperation not only in traditional industries but also in new areas such as technology, training, and artificial intelligence,” stated Aleksey Maslov.
According to him, one of Tatarstan’s competitive advantages is its established logistics flows, which he called some of the most technologically advanced in Russia. Another factor in the development of Russian-Chinese relations is political support for cooperation at the level of the Republic Leadership.
In the near future, Aleksey Maslov believes, the greatest progress is possible in the automotive industry, agriculture, and the production of cosmetics and personal care products. However, the potential for cooperation is much broader and includes technology projects, education, artificial intelligence, and joint production.
*****
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.