On 13 March, St. Petersburg Mining University hosted the Russian-Chinese Business Forum as a key event in the framework the 12th Festival «Chinese New Year – A Happy Spring Festival» organized by the Government of St. Petersburg with the support of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in St.Petersburg. Two RANEPA St. Petersburg delegates joined the event as speakers.

Andrey Khlutkov, Director, reported on the Russian-Chinese cooperation outcomes at RANEPA St. Petersburg, which has concluded 11 agreements with the leading universities in Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi’an.  

Today, over 400 students at RANEPA St. Petersburg study Chinese as a second foreign language. From 60 to 100 students participate in student exchange programs on both sides annually. Chinese students most often choose the one-semester programs in global economics, innovation management, and international law, taught in English. 

Particular emphasis at RANEPA St. Petersburg is placed on professional training for Chinese civil servants: the initiative was launched 10 years ago and interrupted due to the pandemic. In 2025, RANEPA St. Petersburg confirmed the status as an organization authorized to train Chinese civil servants by the Department of Foreign Specialists Training of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China. The «Theory and Methodology of Strategic Assessment» program for Chinese colleagues starts in May 2026.

Alexander Sergunin, Director of the Center for Arctic Research and Projects, gave the presentation «Development of the Russian-Chinese Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor Based on the Principles of the «Blue Economy» at the round table devoted to Chinese-Russian cooperation between universities, business and governments.

The Forum organizers noted that the experience and expert opinions of RANEPA St.Petersburg participants contributed to the successful sessions’ work and the development of practical solutions aimed at further strengthening Chinese-Russian cooperation.