Tatyana Golikova co-chairs the 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation
The 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation
The 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation
The 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation. Member of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Shen Yiqin
Tatyana Golikova and Member of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Shen Yiqin co-chair the 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation
The 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation
Tatyana Golikova co-chairs the 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and Member of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Shen Yiqin have co-chaired the 25th meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation. Held at Pashkov House in Moscow, it brought together representatives from the relevant agencies. The sides exchanged views on the current state and future efforts to promote humanitarian cooperation in all its aspects, and went on to adopt several decisions by adding them to the minutes of the meeting.
The commission’s 25th meeting focused on achieving the objectives as set forth by the heads of state ahead of the 29th regular heads of government meeting, and can be viewed as an important stage in preparing this event.
“Today, Russia and China view each other as priority partners and have been upholding their unwavering commitment to the principles of equal and trust-based relations. Proactive trust-based dialogue between the heads of state plays a central role in promoting bilateral ties in all their aspects. President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to China in May 2024 was the highlight of this year in terms of our bilateral relations. It is quite symbolic that this was the first international trip for the Russian President after his inauguration for a new term in office. Held in various formats and settings, talks between President Vladimir Putin and PRC President Xi Jinping formed the backbone of this visit. They paved the way to important agreements dealing with the main elements of our bilateral cooperation agenda,” Tatyana Golikova said in her opening remarks.
While in Beijing, the heads of state launched the international project titled the Russia-China Years of Culture (2024–2025). It offers a platform for demonstrating the unifying power of art for the whole world to see, as well as engage wide sections of the population in efforts to forge deeper bilateral ties by getting to know the traditions and art of the neighbouring country. It also creates an effective platform for promoting horizontal ties between the corresponding cultural and educational institutions, which are involved in these exchanges.
Tatyana Golikova went on to say that the commission has been able to achieve meaningful results in terms of deepening bilateral humanitarian cooperation. Preserving a high level of academic mobility has been one of the main performance indicators in terms of the way the two countries have been working together. There were 48,000 citizens of the People’s Republic of China studying in Russia in the 2023–2024 academic year, without taking into consideration preparatory courses, while over 16,000 Russian students were enrolled in Chinese higher education institutions.
The two countries have achieved meaningful results in terms of enabling their universities to forge closer ties. A project by Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Beijing University of Technology has been at the forefront of these efforts, considering its unique and unprecedented contribution to promoting humanitarian ties between Russia and China. As of today, Moscow State University and the Beijing University of Technology operate 10 departments with over 2,500 students.
There is a lot of interest among Chinese students towards Russian culture and language. Launched in China in 2024, the Russian Teacher Abroad project provides for Russian-language teachers working in local schools and presenting Russian culture and traditions there.
There is also a lot of potential for cooperation in vocational training too.
Cooperation in culture is also a fundamental component of Russia-China humanitarian interaction.
On May 16, Beijing’s National Centre for the Performing Arts hosted the ceremony to open the Russia-China Years of Culture, attended by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. The Years of Culture were launched by a unique concert by a combined Russian-Chinese folk orchestra. The project features more than 230 events in all areas of culture, with over 60 organisations from 44 Russian regions involved. In 2024, cultural events will take place in 51 cities in China and 38 cities in Russia.
The two countries’ joint efforts are also focused on developing medical education, enhancing emergency preparedness, cooperating in preventing infectious and non-infectious diseases, and strengthening sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population. To date, we have already developed a stable interaction between medical and scientific institutions in Russia and China. Considerable attention is being paid to cooperation in ophthalmology, maternal and child healthcare, and psychiatry.
Particular importance is given to advancing our partnership in sports. The Games of the Future, a new format of phygital competitions adopted at the initiative of President Vladimir Putin, has ushered in a new age in the sports movement. This format is very popular, enjoying immense support at the international level. The participation of Chinese athletes in these events made a valuable contribution to the success of the competitions, serving to boost friendly sports ties between the countries.
Extensive contacts between Russian and Chinese media should also be noted, as well as an increase in tourist traffic, including visa-free travel under the relevant agreement. The number of trips by Russian and Chinese tourists made up 1.1 million in the first half of 2024, which is equal to the overall -tourist flows from Russia and China in 2023.
An extensive programme is being implemented by our countries’ youth organisations. In particular, the World Youth Festival took place in the Sirius federal territory in March, with more than 20,000 participants from 190 countries, including more than 430 representatives of China. The festival included a special session entitled the Youth of Russia and China Walking the Road of Friendship to mark the 75th anniversary of Russia-China diplomatic relations.
“I am confident that the potential for the development of our bilateral relations is far from being exhausted, with major tasks ahead to boost them. I see it as a pledge of strengthening friendly ties and traditions of good-neighbourliness that unite the peoples of our countries,” the Deputy Prime Minister emphasised.
The meeting resulted in the signing of the following documents:
– a Protocol of the 24th meeting of the Sub-Commission on Cooperation in Education;
– a Protocol of the 24th meeting of the Sub-Commission on Cooperation in Healthcare;
– a Protocol of the 14th meeting of the Sub-Commission on Cooperation in Youth Policy;
– a Protocol of the 24th meeting of the Sub-Commission on Cooperation in Sport;
– a Protocol of the 21st meeting of the Sub-Commission on Cooperation in Tourism;
– a Protocol of the 17th meeting of the Sub-Commission on Cooperation in Filmmaking;
– a Protocol of the 24th meeting of the Sub-Commission on Cooperation in Culture.
