Saratov State University has hosted a panel discussion entitled Our Neighbour China: Its Life and Focus. The event was attended by a member of the Federation Council of Russia from the executive authority of Saratov Region, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, a member of the Central Board of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society Andrei Denisov.

The guest was met by SSU Rector Aleksei Chumachenko and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Igor Malinskii. The panel discussion was joined by the directors and deans of four SSU institutes and faculties, scientists – experts in international relations, cultural studies, economics, and political science.

Andrei Denisov noted that Saratov and China had long-term historical relations. ‘There were caravan routes of Chinese merchants on the site of our city, today, archaeologists find the proofs. I hope that in this fateful time, the relations between Russia and China will develop. Saratov Region has great potential for cooperation with Chinese partners in agriculture, energy, and logistics. We are building up common trust communicating with each other and visiting the two countries.’

During the meeting, Andrei Denisov spoke in detail about the development stages of the People's Republic of China and the country's modern global initiatives. He explained the current state of the economy, production, financial sector, science, and higher education system. He dwelt on the history of the relations between Russia and China, shared his experience as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the People's Republic of China from 2013 to 2022.

The discussion was attended by Director of the Institute of Continuing Professional Education Yurii Golub, Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy Mikhail Orlov, Dean of the Faculty of Law Galina Komkova, and Director of the Institute of History and International Relations Tatyana Cherevichko. The moderator of the panel discussion was Chair of the Saratov branch of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, Associate Professor of the Department of Philosophy of Culture and Cultural Studies Vladimir Ruchin.

The participants of the meeting asked questions about the geopolitics of the two countries, shared their experience of the interaction with Chinese colleagues, mentioned joint conferences and curricula, the work of researchers in various fields.