Harbin: Opening ceremony of the Russian-Chinese EXPO and the Forum on Interregional Cooperation

I have one major complaint about the photos taken when Putin visits exhibitions like this one—the exhibits are almost never shown, while we get two dozen pics of Putin and entourage, while the video in this case covers just the speeches. Okay, my gripe now finished, Putin joined China’s Vice-president Han Zheng in performing the opening ceremony at the VIII Russian-Chinese EXPO and IV Russian-Chinese Forum on interregional cooperation after touring the exhibition halls. Here’s the Kremlin’s introduction:

The VIII Russian-Chinese EXPO will be held in Harbin on May 17-21, 2024. The exhibition has been held annually since 2014 and alternates between countries and is an important trade and industrial platform that promotes the expansion and diversification of partnership between Russia and China.

EXPO traditionally includes a large-scale exhibition. In 2024, innovative developments and joint Russian-Chinese projects in the field of mechanical engineering, metallurgy, solutions for energy, information technology, production finance, logistics and other areas will be presented. Special attention is paid to the presentation of Russia's tourism potential.

Russia is represented at the EXPO by 16 regions: Moscow, Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Yakutia, Udmurtia, Primorsky, Khabarovsk, Kamchatka and Trans-Baikal Territories, Chelyabinsk, Sverdlovsk, Amur, Arkhangelsk, Tula, Vladimir and Tver regions.

This year, the fourth Russian-Chinese Forum on Interregional cooperation is being held as part of EXPO. It is attended by 28 subjects of the Russian Federation.

The opening speeches are shorter than anticipated, which I’m sure readers will enjoy since there’s been so much to read. Yes, there’s more that could be added, such as this Global Times article “Unilateral sanctions against China do not conform with a broad number of international legal norms: UN expert” that I highly suggest. But first, here’re Han Zheng and President Putin:

Han Zheng: Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, dear guests, ladies and gentlemen, friends, good afternoon!

I am very glad to see you in Harbin and participate together in the opening ceremony of the VIII China-Russia EXPO. On behalf of the Chinese Government, I welcome all participants and congratulate them on holding the exhibition.

First of all, I will read out a message from President Xi Jinping.

"I warmly congratulate you on hosting the VIII China-Russia EXPO.

“Thanks to the joint efforts of the two countries, Sino-Russian relations are steadily moving forward. The results of cooperation are for the benefit of the peoples of our countries.

“This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. Standing at a fresh start, we are waiting for new historical opportunities and broader prospects.

“Over the long years of its development, the China-Russia EXPO has already become a landmark platform for stimulating bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

“I hope that business circles will be able to conduct full-fledged discussions at the exhibition site, step up contacts, and together contribute to our mutually beneficial cooperation in order to give a new impetus to the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

“I wish great success to the VIII China-Russia EXPO.

“President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. May 17 of this year."

I will now make a speech.

Yesterday, our heads of state held talks in Beijing, together outlined a new plan for the development of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, and set new guidelines for further deepening practical cooperation.

Today we have a message from President Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Vladimirovich is attending and will deliver a speech. I believe that under the strategic leadership of the heads of state and all circles, cooperation will achieve new tangible results.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Over the years, interstate relations have been constantly deepening. We also see fruitful trade and economic cooperation. In 2023, the volume of mutual trade amounted to $ 240 billion. China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 14 years. It is worth noting the growing volume of mutual investments and the successful implementation of strategically important projects in the field of energy, chemical industry, aviation, space and transport. It is quite possible to say that China-Russia mutually beneficial cooperation benefits our countries and peoples and gives new energy to the development of relations.

Ladies and gentlemen, Friends!

Over the past 10 years, the China-Russia EXPO has become a landmark platform for establishing regional ties and business contacts. The motto of the VIII exhibition is "Cooperation, mutual trust, opportunities". Together with the Russian side, we are ready to follow the important instructions of the leaders of the two countries and further promote business cooperation.

In this regard, I would like to focus on the following priorities of work.

The first is to strengthen the dynamic trend of trade growth. It is important to use the untapped potential, expand the range of trade and trade in services. It is advisable to complete the cross-border infrastructure, increase cargo turnover through border crossings, and create favorable conditions for cargo transportation and movement of people.

We pay special attention to agriculture. It is necessary to expand access to agricultural markets. Food security and quality nutrition for people is our common goal.

The second is the activation of interregional relations. Interregional cooperation is the engine of interaction between our countries. It is symbolic that more than 40 regions of China and Russia are present here. It is very important that our regions compete with each other with their own advantages to increase trade and investment.

The Years of Chinese and Russian Culture began yesterday. We suggest organizing an interesting and fruitful event with the participation of more regions and, of course, people.

The third is to work together in new areas. Our countries share common goals of national development and improving people's well-being. Therefore, in the future, we propose to focus our efforts on new areas, such as smart cities, scientific and technological innovations, the digital economy, green development and healthcare, to enrich our relations.

Ladies and gentlemen, Friends!

We usually say: who is looking, he will always find. I am convinced that high-level political and economic ties are a solid foundation that allows entrepreneurs to find a reliable partner.

The province of Heilongjiang is always at the forefront of cooperation with Russia, and it is actively opening its door to its neighbor. I hope that EXPO participants are looking for and will find opportunities to expand their business.

In conclusion, I wish success to the VIII China-Russia EXPO.

Thank you for your attention.

Vladimir Putin: Dear friends and colleagues,

I would like to welcome you to the opening ceremony of a large – scale joint exhibition event-the VIII Russian-Chinese EXPO, as well as the IV Russian-Chinese Forum on interregional cooperation, which is being organized within its framework.

It is very symbolic that these two important events are being held in Harbin, one of the largest scientific, educational and innovation centers in China. This is my first time here, and the city is really impressive. This is a modern, beautiful, dynamic metropolis. And at the same time truly original, with a rich history and traditions.

Since its foundation in the late 19th century, Harbin has represented the closest ties and interweaving of the destinies of the peoples of Russia and China, as well as the mutual enrichment of cultures and traditions.

By the way, we drove through the city center. Its historical part preserves, and it is well possible to immediately feel the Russian trace. Our specialists from Russia, engineers and scientists have made a significant contribution to the economic development of the city, the creation of its production base, the construction of large factories and infrastructure facilities.

Harbin is also a symbol of the military brotherhood of our peoples. More than 12,000 Soviet soldiers were killed in the battles for the liberation of northeast China from the Japanese invaders. On September 16, 1945, a joint Victory Parade was held in Harbin, marking the end of hostilities on the Pacific Front and the complete end of World War II. More than 300 thousand people took part in that solemn ceremony. It was a real celebration of the long-awaited peace and unity of our two peoples.

We have just laid flowers at the memorial to Soviet soldiers and officers. I would like to express my great gratitude to the people of Harbin and the Chinese authorities, who preserve the memory of our soldiers-liberators and shared pages of military glory, and take care of the common historical, spiritual and cultural heritage.

Based on the glorious traditions of good neighborliness, friendship and cooperation, today we can confidently look forward, take on the most ambitious projects together, and jointly build and implement ambitious plans. The prospects for further development of such close and multifaceted cooperation were discussed in detail just now at talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping – last night it was.

I think we can rightly be proud of the results of Russian-Chinese economic ties and Russian-Chinese economic cooperation.

Until a few years ago, the figure of $ 100 billion in trade turnover was considered a great success for bilateral trade, and now they have already crossed the 200 billion mark. More precisely, according to Chinese statistics, it is 240 billion rubles. And this is far from the limit, of course.

The Russian-Chinese indissoluble partnership directly contributes to the growth of both countries ' economies, reliably ensures energy security, encourages the creation of new industries and high-paying jobs, and improves the well-being and quality of life of our citizens.

Our strategic alliance in the energy sector, which has become the mainstay of the entire global energy market, I am confident that it will continue to strengthen. Russia is ready and able to supply the Chinese economy, enterprises, cities, and towns with clean, affordable energy, light, and heat without interruption and reliably.

Large-scale joint projects are also being implemented in the field of industrial cooperation. Chinese automakers are actively entering the Russian market, and programs for creating a wide-body long-haul aircraft and a heavy civilian helicopter are being promoted.

I would like to emphasize that Russia not only welcomes the Chinese business ' commitment to localizing production on our territory, but is also ready to provide economic benefits, assistance and support to Chinese investors, as well as access to Russia's unique technological base and highly qualified personnel.

At a time when the world is on the threshold of the next technological revolution, we are determined to consistently deepen bilateral cooperation in the field of high technologies and innovations, to combine our scientific and research potentials. This is necessary in order to confidently take leadership positions and increase the competitiveness of Russia and China in the global economy of tomorrow.

I would like to emphasize the dynamic development of the transport infrastructure that closely connects our countries. Thus, in 2022, two cross-border transport bridges were opened on the Amur River at once-road and railway bridges, along which intensive passenger and cargo transportation is already underway. Here, in the border regions of Russia and China, reliable and high-speed logistics corridors are especially in demand by both businesses and citizens. We will continue to reconstruct checkpoints and reduce the time required for cargo and transport inspection at the border.

Our countries are working together to diversify bilateral trade, encouraging changes in its structure. In particular, exports of Russian agricultural products to China are now actively increasing. President Xi Jinping and I also discussed this in some detail yesterday. These products are of high quality and eco-friendly.

Growing volumes of fish and other seafood, grain, and pork are supplied to China from Russia. In fact, we are moving towards creating a strategic Russian-Chinese industrial partnership, similar to our close cooperation in the energy sector.

A good opportunity for developing industry ties is traditionally provided by this EXPO, which has been held alternately in Russia and China for several years and each time attracts the interested attention of an increasing number of participants, representatives of business and public circles, and regions of our countries. So, the eighth EXPO, which starts today in Harbin, is no exception.

From the Russian side, the EXPO was attended by the heads of the largest companies, leaders in their industries, such as Rosatom, Rostec, Russian Railways and many others. The scope of the economy's sectors is very wide: from mineral resources extraction and petrochemistry to construction and metallurgy, light industry and digital technologies.

During numerous EXPO events, panel discussions, seminars, and round tables, Russian and Chinese participants will be able to get acquainted with the vast economic potential of the two countries, find new opportunities for commercial partnership, attracting investment, and exchanging technologies, and come up with new joint projects and agreements that I am sure will be strongly supported by the governments of both Russia and China. Of the People's Republic of China.

In accordance with the wishes of our Chinese friends, a Made in Russia goods fair was organized within the framework of EXPO, where guests can try and purchase more than a thousand different types of high-quality Russian products.

The central event of the exhibition this year will be the Russian-Chinese forum on interregional cooperation. I would like to note that today the vast majority of Russian regions maintain ties with their Chinese partners. And from the Chinese side, almost all provinces and administrative entities are involved in such cooperation. More than 300 cities and municipalities of the two countries have established twinning relations. Russia probably does not have such a wide network of direct contacts, such a large number of inter-regional agreements on trade and economic cooperation and on cooperation in the humanitarian sphere with any other country in the world.

The forum is attended by delegations from 25 regions of the Russian Federation, 17 of them are headed by senior officials.

Plans for creating new mutually beneficial partnerships will be presented to Chinese colleagues in Moscow, Tatarstan, Bashkiria, Tula, Nizhny Novgorod, Amur Regions, and Khabarovsk Krai. Such initiatives have been thoroughly developed by our regions and specified by industry. For example, the Kaluga Region is determined to develop cooperation in the automotive sector, creating a whole cluster of construction materials production.

And, of course, we see great potential for deepening ties between the Russian Far East and the northeast of the People's Republic of China.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite our Chinese friends to the IX Eastern Economic Forum, which will be held in Vladivostok in early September. There it will be possible to continue a detailed discussion of the possibilities of cooperation with Russia, including in the territories of advanced socio-economic development, where convenient preferential regimes are created for external investors.

In conclusion, dear friends, I would like to wish the organizers, participants and guests of EXPO, this large and solid forum, productive work, useful and constructive discussions, and all the best.

Thank you for your attention.

Thank you very much. [My Emphasis]

The talk is so calm and matter-of-fact, yet it’s so vital in its essence. What we have are not just friends but teammates when we look at the Big Picture. And it’s in the Big Picture realm where all the work lies as the goal is to eliminate the fear of poverty and the want of hunger for about four billion humans, which many think can’t be done. The thought for the New Era is to allow opportunity for all Humanity as who knows how many brilliant minds are mired in ghettoes and never get the chance to realize their potential? Russia’s very serious and China’s very serious. Most of the Global Majority are able to see that seriousness and want to become part of it, while a rather small portion plot to further enable their pleonexia and megalomania, and thus can be termed Anti-Human. Note how both governments are doing their best to make the working class excel. IMO, business in Eurasia is sold on that goal but the nations are at many different stages in developing People Centered Development, which is a natural occurrence. And everyone involved will need to make suggestions and formulate ideas and voice them to others so leaders are aided in the hard task of governance. IMO, the one main point Chinese and Russians understand is it’s a group effort—team—and that team can consist of a wide variety of people and cultures.
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