Chinese, Russian experts call for deepening partnership at Shanghai forum

By Zheng Zheng in Shanghai | chinadaily.com.cn
Updated: 05:27 PM (GMT+8) April 2, 2025
Chinese and Russian experts gather in Shanghai for a dialogue on strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and addressing global challenges. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Chinese and Russian experts gathered in Shanghai on Monday for a dialogue on strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and addressing global challenges, emphasizing the value of China-Russia relations amid evolving international dynamics.

The conference, themed "Space of Joint Development: Global and Eurasian Dimensions", was jointly hosted by the Valdai Discussion Club and the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, attracting over 90 scholars and experts from both nations.

Mei Bing, Party secretary of the university, highlighted that the mechanism of China-Russia dialogue has expanded its influence not only within both countries but also across Eurasia and globally. "No matter how the world changes, China and Russia will remain neighbors that cannot be moved away, true friends supporting each other through thick and thin," Mei said.

Andrei Bystritsky, chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club, noted that despite language differences, both nations consistently find common ground. "In today's turbulent world, our dialogue carries unprecedented importance," Bystritsky said.

The conference focused on four key sessions, namely strategic partnership in a multipolar world, global and regional challenges for Eurasia, promising areas of bilateral cooperation, and the future of international institutions and international law.

Chinese and Russian experts gather in Shanghai for a dialogue on strengthening bilateral strategic partnership and addressing global challenges. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Igor Makarov from the National Research University Higher School of Economics said that while China-Russia trade has reached $240 billion, there remains significant untapped potential. "The strong political mutual trust between our countries provides a solid foundation for expanding practical cooperation," he said.

The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences researcher Xing Guangcheng also emphasized the need to strengthen practical cooperation. "While we've established comprehensive multilevel cooperation, there's room for growth in economics, finance, technology, and people-to-people exchanges," he said.

Anna Sytnik from St. Petersburg State University identified artificial intelligence as a promising field for collaboration, specifically mentioning opportunities in joint data collection, labeling, and talent development.

Feng Shaolei, director of the Center for Russian Studies at the East China Normal University, reflected on the history of the Valdai Discussion Club, praising its openness and expertise.

"The improving caliber of participating experts has made the platform increasingly effective for bilateral exchanges," Feng added.

The Sino-Russian conference of the Valdai Discussion Club is a comprehensive international exchange mechanism that facilitates multilevel dialogue across various sectors. This year's meeting marks the 10th conference held by the Center for Russian Studies at the East China Normal University.

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