Educational collaborations, cultural exchanges forge stronger Sino-Russian ties

China and Russia have taken significant steps to strengthen educational collaboration and cultural exchange in recent years, highlighted by a series of agreements between higher education institutions in both countries and closer ties in language learning.

In April, China's Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng led a delegation to Russia, and agreements were signed between Chinese and Russian universities aimed at improving practical collaboration in education, especially in basic sciences.

Education authorities of both countries signed agreements covering joint talent cultivation, scientific research, vocational training and digital education, Huai said.

During the visit, Peking University awarded an honorary doctorate to the rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Victor Sadovnichy, for his achievements in mathematics, physics and computer science, as well as his efforts to promote higher education collaboration between the two countries.

Several agreements were signed between the two universities, including a memorandum of understanding on setting up a China-Russia earth sciences center and a mathematics challenge fund.

The two universities have promoted partnership through platforms such as the Sino-Russian Mathematics Center and the China-Russia Comprehensive University Alliance, said Gong Qihuang, president of Peking University and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

High-level universities played a crucial role in supporting national strategies and socioeconomic development, Gong said, calling for enhanced international collaboration in basic sciences between universities.

"Exchanges and practical collaboration are especially important in times of global transformation."

Peking University and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology have discussed working more closely together in mathematics, material sciences and in academic programs such as summer schools and student exchanges, the Beijing university said.

In addition, there is expected to be a collaboration between Peking University and Kazan Federal University in areas such as energy and environmental studies.

Confucius Institutes also continue to play a crucial role in strengthening educational collaboration and cultural exchange between the two countries.

Igor Khripunov, director of the Confucius Institute at Novosibirsk State Technical University, said the institute has been acting as a bridge not only for higher education institutions but also for middle schools, helping promote educational exchanges.

"The institute provides Chinese-language courses, helps teachers develop study programs and contributes to nurturing local talent in Chinese language education," Khripunov said. "A key focus is ensuring that students understand Chinese culture, which is essential for mastering the language."

As the only Russian institution offering all three types of Chinese-language proficiency tests, it has had an increasing number of candidates from various regions.

"More students are now attempting higher-level tests, which allows them to take part in scholarship programs in China," Khripunov said.

Since the institute was established in 2007, nearly 150 students have attended Chinese universities through scholarship programs. Many outstanding teachers at the institute have taken part in international Chinese teaching competitions and achieved notable success, he said.

The institute has been collaborating with Dalian University of Foreign Languages in Liaoning province, and this year a master's program was jointly launched by the two institutions, he said.

"Former students from the institute find employment related to the Chinese language, making them competitive in both China and Russia. One graduate won the Global Chinese Bridge competition and now runs a business in Qingdao with his wife, another alumnus."

Graduates are thriving in fields such as international relations, trade, education and media, he said.

The Confucius Institute aims to cultivate professionals proficient in Chinese to meet the growing demand for bilingual talent in various industries, Khripunov said.

Vladislav Ronzhin, a graduate student of Beijing Language and Culture University, started to learn Chinese in 2007 at Siberian Federal University.

"My family and I foresaw China's potential in development and chose to study Chinese," he said.

When he engaged in an exchange program in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, during college, he met his future wife and now lives in China. After working for several years as an English teacher, Vladislav found he was still intrigued by Chinese culture and prepared to pursue further education in Beijing.

"I find the Ming Dynasty particularly inspiring. The domestic policies, as well as the foreign relations efforts during that time, reveal how diligently China worked to establish healthy relationships with neighboring countries through cultural exchange."

Vladislav, now studying international relations at Beijing Language and Culture University, said China's role in organizations such as the United Nations is significant and serves as an exemplary model.

"China does not align itself with any particular friend or enemy, focusing instead on creating peace and stability. This commitment to diplomacy and peaceful coexistence is something worth emulating."