As reference:
China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) is the “think-tank” of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was founded by the order of Mao Zedong in 1956. It was closed in the period of “cultural revolution” and resumed its activities only in 1973. The present name was assumed in 1986. China Center for international affairs, the former research institution of State Council of China, was incorporated with CIIS in 1998.This Center played a significant role in normalization of relations between USA and China in the period of Nixon leadership.
CIIS combines community of distinguished scientists and senior diplomats. The CIIS President Qu Xing worked as the Ambassador of PRC in France from 2006 till 2009.
CIIS is one of ten the most influential “think-tanks” of China and the second in the order of importance in the sphere of foreign policy after Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).
The visit to KFU started with a tour of a museum complex of the university. After that the delegates met with KFU Rector Prof. Ilshat Gafurov and directors of KFU’s Institutes.
Welcoming the guests KFU Rector emphasized that Kazan Federal University has been closely cooperating with Chinese universities for many years. More than 200 Chinese students study at KFU at present. Moreover, faculty members and scientists from China come to KFU on a regular basis. Ilshat Gafurov also mentioned collaboration with Hunan Normal University.
Current activity of the university was presented in the framework of the meeting with Chinese colleagues. Parties discussed further collaboration. Qu Xing offered such forms of cooperation as scientific exchanges and joint researches. International Relations, Political Science, Social Studies and Philosophy were mentioned among feasible directions of collaboration. It was suggested signing an agreement of cooperation.