On March 31 – April 1, 2025, the Valdai Discussion Club, in partnership with the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, will host a Russian-Chinese conference in Shanghai titled “Space of Joint Development: Global and Eurasian Dimensions.”
The event will bring together over 60 experts from Russia and China, many of whom are regular participants not only in bilateral expert meetings but also in regional conferences and annual gatherings of the Valdai Club. The conference will open with remarks by Andrey Bystritskiy, Chairman of the Board of the Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club; Wu Jian, Vice-Rector of East China Normal University; and Feng Shaolei, Director of the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University.
For 15 years, the Valdai Club and the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University have sustained a high level of cooperation and shaped the agenda for expert dialogue between Russia and China. The goal of this year’s conference is to address global, regional, and bilateral challenges while fostering an exchange of ideas on how to enhance the preparedness of Russian and Chinese societies for the future.
The unprecedented strength of Russian-Chinese relations is reflected in the frequency of political engagements: last year alone, the leaders of the two states met three times, and the heads of government convened twice. Economic ties have also reached new heights over the past three years, with trade turnover hitting a record $244.8 billion by the end of 2024. The ambitious target set at the highest level – to increase trade turnover to $250 billion – is likely to be achieved in the near future.
Russia and China share similar perspectives on key global issues, whether it be the Ukrainian crisis, the situation in the Middle East, the rise of protectionism, or the crisis of global institutions. Moscow and Beijing effectively coordinate their efforts within frameworks such as BRICS and SCO, enabling these platforms to increasingly serve as hubs for advancing and implementing initiatives by developing nations.
A new phase in the formation of a multipolar world is now underway, in which Russia and China can leverage their strategic partnership to democratize international relations and consolidate efforts toward building a fair and rational global order.
Eurasia will play a pivotal role in this process as a space for the joint development of Russia, China, and numerous other developing countries. The strategic contours of this region, as well as the role of the SCO and the prospects for initiatives such as the “Greater Eurasia” (Greater Eurasian Partnership) and the “Community of Common Destiny” are significantly shaped by Russian-Chinese collaboration.
The conference will span two days and feature an opening ceremony, five thematic sessions, and a closing session. During the sessions, experts will explore the following topics:
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Russia and China: strategic partnership in a multipolar world
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Global and regional challenges for Eurasia
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Promising areas of bilateral cooperation: large-scale projects in Eurasia, artificial intelligence, and new payment mechanisms
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China-Russia-USA trilateral relations: facing the future
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The future of international institutions and international law
Prominent Russian political scientists and economists will participate in the discussions, including Anastasia Likhacheva, Dean of the Faculty of World Economy and World Politics at the National Research University Higher School of Economics; Vasily Kashin, Director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the National Research University Higher School of Economics; Alexei Kupriyanov, Head of the Center for the Indian Ocean Region at the IMEMO RAS; Alexander Lomanov, Deputy Director for Research at the IMEMO RAS; Fyodor Lukyanov, Research Director of the Valdai Discussion Club; Timofei Bordachev, Professor at the National Research University Higher School of Economics and Programme Director of the Valdai Discussion Club, and others.
The Chinese side will be represented by Wang Haiyan, Vice-Rector of the Institute of Russian and Eurasian Studies at East China Normal University and Associate Professor at the Center for Russian Studies; Fu Ying, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the PRC (2010–2013); Gao Fei, Distinguished Professor at the Center for Belarus Studies at Zhejiang Shuren Institute and Vice-Rector of the Institute of Foreign Affairs; Ding Jie, Director of the Center for International Relations at the Institute of Contemporary China and World Studies; Xing Guangcheng, Director of the Institute for the Study of Border Issues of China; Li Yongquan, Director of the Institute of Eurasian Social Development at the Center for Development Studies under the State Council, and others.
Working languages: Russian, Chinese.
Information for the media:
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The Valdai Discussion Club was established in 2004. It is named after Lake Valdai, which is located close to Veliky Novgorod, where the Club’s first meeting took place.
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