Innovation Exhibition · Special Article | China Russia Exhibition: Deepening Cooperation, Mutual Benefit, and Win Win

Editor's note: Currently, it is an important window period for pragmatic economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia. With the continuous strengthening of contacts between the two sides in various fields such as politics, economy, technology, and culture, more "Chinese smart manufacturing" have entered the Russian market through exhibition platforms, and more Russian agricultural products have also entered the Chinese market through exhibitions. Exhibitions not only help promote bilateral economic development and stimulate growth potential, but also promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity, and share the benefits of mutual development.

Strong complementarity in Sino Russian exhibition cooperation

The recently signed Joint Statement between the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Cooperation in the New Era on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries clearly supports representatives from all walks of life from China and Russia to participate in important forums and exhibitions held in both countries. Fully utilize the opportunity of the 2024-2025 China Russia Cultural Year to comprehensively carry out exchanges in areas such as cultural performances, museums, libraries, cultural heritage protection, art education, and creative industries. Expand cultural exchange areas and actively promote the participation of local youth and cultural workers in China and Russia. Continue to hold cultural festivals, library forums, and a collection of Chinese and Russian cultures.

Jiang Huai, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the China Convention and Exhibition Economy Research Association, stated that from the perspective of industrial structure, China and Russia have complementary advantages in carrying out exhibition cooperation in multiple aspects and huge development potential, which are specifically manifested in the following three points.

One is to improve the standards for organizing exhibitions. Russian President Putin's attendance at the opening ceremony of the 8th China Russia Expo will trigger an evaluation of the value of the exhibition activities by trade institutions, manufacturers, purchasers, and relevant departments of both countries.

The second is to promote bilateral trade facilitation. In recent years, the economic, trade and cultural exchanges between the two countries have become increasingly close, and exhibition activities will further promote the facilitation of bilateral trade and personnel exchanges.

The third is to further optimize and enhance policies. The two countries have successively issued relevant strategic plans for Northeast Asia. China's "the Belt and Road" initiative and Russia's "Turn East" strategy provide policy opportunities for bilateral cooperation. The China Russia Expo provides an important platform for face-to-face communication and cooperation between enterprises from both countries. The deep integration of economic and trade activities and cultural exchanges between the two countries will promote continuous innovation and improvement of public service policies and cooperation mechanisms.

In 2023, the trade volume between China and Russia reached a record breaking $240.1 billion. The scale of bilateral investment between the two countries continues to grow, and major project cooperation in areas such as energy, chemical, aerospace, and connectivity is steadily advancing. The mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Russia has injected new impetus into the development of bilateral relations.

"In recent years, exhibitions have become an important platform for promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia." Chu Xiangyin, a professor and doctoral supervisor at the University of International Business and Economics, and chief researcher at the China Association for Exhibition Economy, said that strengthening exhibition cooperation between China and Russia is an important measure to maintain the multilateral economic and trade system, oppose trade protectionism, maintain the operation of international industrial and supply chains, and promote economic prosperity.

"China's Smart Manufacturing" Shines at the Russia International Building Materials Exhibition

Recently, the Crocus International Convention and Exhibition Center in Moscow held the 29th Moscow International Building Materials Exhibition (MosBuild, hereinafter referred to as "Russia International Building Materials Exhibition"). Chinese enterprises have become a major attraction at the exhibition.

"At present, we have 13 agents in Russia," Huang Zhongfan, General Manager of Foshan Dajiaolu Marble Tiles Co., Ltd., told reporters. This is their first time participating in the Russia International Building Materials Exhibition, and the ultra wear-resistant tiles displayed at the special booth have attracted the attention of many potential customers. In addition to participating in the exhibition, they also investigate the market and search for suitable areas to relocate production and manufacturing overseas.

"This is the only international professional exhibition so far this year where our participation has exceeded expectations," said Zhao Feng, Deputy General Manager of Hebei Lingbiao Technology Development Co., Ltd. As the only producer of quartz and rock slabs in China, this exhibition has received high attention from Russian customers. This also makes them firm that they will further expand the Russian market in the next three to five years.

Several participating companies have stated that "Chinese Smart Manufacturing" received more attention than expected at the Russia International Building Materials Exhibition.

"More than 600 companies from 24 provinces (regions) in China, including Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Shandong, participated in the exhibition, with nearly 110 companies setting up special booths and exhibiting an area of nearly 8000 square meters." The organizer of the exhibition, Russia's ITE Exhibition Group (hereinafter referred to as "ITE") China General Manager Miasai Turson, stated that cross-border trade between China and Russia is a two-way flow. In 2024, There are 26 B2B exhibitions and events held by ITE in Russia, covering industries such as construction, pharmaceuticals, food industry, agriculture, tourism, transportation and logistics, safety and energy, hardware tools and fasteners, consumer goods, packaging, etc., all of which are attended by Chinese companies.

As the focus of Russia's foreign economic cooperation shifts eastward, China Russia economic and trade cooperation has developed rapidly. China has become Russia's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, accounting for 32% of Russia's foreign trade. From January to April this year, the trade volume between China and Russia increased by 4.7% year-on-year, reaching 76.58 billion US dollars.

"The China Russia Expo is an important platform for economic and trade cooperation between the two countries"

The 8th China Russia Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "China Russia Expo") was recently held in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, as well as the beginning of the "China Russia Cultural Year". Many Russian merchants have added their specialty agricultural products, organic food, seafood and other products to the Chinese market.

Fresh deep-sea king crabs, sweet homemade sparkling wine, and rich 75% chocolate... Walking into the Harbin International Convention and Exhibition Center, the audience seems to open a door to the Russian market. On the first public open day of the 8th China Russia Expo, 75000 people walked into the venue to experience the "Russian flavor" and feel the "Russian style".

The China Russia Expo is a national and international large-scale exhibition approved by the governments of China and Russia. It is jointly organized by the Ministry of Commerce of China, the Government of Heilongjiang Province, the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It is also a certified exhibition by the International Exhibition Industry Association (UFI). It was founded in 2014 and is held alternately in Harbin, China and Yekaterinburg, Russia.

"The China Russia Expo is an important platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Russia, as well as the largest comprehensive exhibition between the two countries." Chu Xiangyin, a professor and doctoral supervisor at the University of International Business and Economics, and chief researcher of the China Convention and Exhibition Economy Research Association, said in an interview with China Trade Daily that with the continuous expansion of China Russia economic and trade cooperation, cultural exchanges between China and Russia are becoming increasingly frequent. This year and next year are the "China Russia Cultural Year". As one of the important projects of China Russia exhibition cooperation, the "China Russia Cultural Year" has been held multiple times and has received high attention from the governments and various sectors of society of China and Russia.

At this year's China Russia Expo, the Russian exhibition area showcased the economic and trade investment potential of relevant regions in Russia, the modern research and development level of key enterprises, the positive willingness of small and medium-sized enterprises, and promising bilateral cooperation projects. In addition to showcasing and exchanging featured products, cross-border e-commerce, mutual trade, cultural tourism, etc., the China Russia Expo also held a series of supporting activities around local cooperation, economic and trade investment, medical education, etc.

"The China Russia Expo unleashes the advantages of China's super large-scale market," said Chen Shijun, President of the Heilongjiang Provincial Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The expo showcases over 5000 products in more than 20 categories across 10 fields. From the perspective of supporting activities, this year's China Russia Expo has collected more than 40 themed supporting activities in industry docking, investment attraction, international cooperation, tourism consumption, and other fields.