This 10th Forum was held on Saturday, May 27th.

Rector Ilshat Gafurov addressed the guests, “Currently Russian-Chinese relations are developing steadily and successfully, and this is witnessed by not merely trade numbers. Our countries cooperate in education and culture. Students actively partake in exchange programs, and a growing number of students and PhD candidates arrive from the PRC. About 600 Chinese nationals are studying at KFU today, and 1,000 people are studying Chinese language. Yesterday our UNICS Center hosted the national finals of the Chinese Bridge competition. I am very pleased to inform that our University team placed first”.

In his response General Consul of PRC in Kazan Wu Yingqin touched on the present «golden age» of bilateral ties, “Never before have relations between China and Russia been on such a high level. I have recently visited Alabuga, the most successful special economic zone in Russia, and I took away the impression that we do not fully utilize this territory’s potential. The lack of Chinese language and culture experts is very palpable. There is a real need for more specialists in this area. This duty lies on the shoulders of the very people that have gathered in this auditorium”.

Everyone was united in stating that KFU Confucius Institute is an auspicious project – as are all such entities across Russia.

Advisor for Education at the PRC Embassy in Russia Zhao Guocheng emphasized that Russian experience in organizing Confucius Institutes is the most fruitful of all countries. “To a great extent this is preconditioned by them being stationed at national universities with good educators and motivated students”, said he.

Representing the regional authorities, Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Education, Culture, Science, and Ethnic Affairs of the State Council of Tatarstan Razil Valeev said, “Tatarstani delegations have visited many Chinese provinces. Warm and friendly links have been formed between the two countries”.

He further touched specifically on the cooperation in Tatar language and Tatar studies. All this in combination creates a unique blend of cultures and a favorable backdrop for amicable intergovernmental and interpersonal ties.

The reports and discussions on the forum mostly pertained to technical issues, such as personnel, financing, One Belt One Road initiative promotions, and other matters.