The border regions of Russia and China have expanded cooperation in the field of education

Russia and the People's Republic of China (PRC) continue to intensively expand their cooperation not only in trade and economic, but also in the educational sphere. In recent years, the parties have exchanged thousands of students. This was reported by the Xinhua news agency on May 19, on the eve of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Beijing.

Pupils and students of both Russian and Chinese schools and universities have been getting to know each other's customs and traditions for several years now. In this regard, the visa-free regime in force between the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China has recently been particularly helpful. The process of crossing the border, according to Anastasia Nikolaeva, a teacher who accompanied one of the exchange groups, has become much easier and faster.

Russian children are most often accepted by the border town of Manzhouli, which has become the largest center of Russian-Chinese educational exchange. Over the past three years alone, it has been visited by more than 40,000 schoolchildren from the Russian Federation. The Manchurian Institute of the Russian Language (MIRYA) operates there, where, according to Yu Jie, director of the Center for International Cooperation and Exchanges, 34 students and 13 teachers from the Russian Federation currently study.

"The Chinese language is very beautiful, and Chinese culture is very attractive. In the future, I want to work in the field of trade and economic cooperation between Russia and China," Anastasia, a 20-year—old native of Irkutsk, a law student at Baikal State University (BSU), told the agency.

Almost the entire Trans-Baikal Territory, in particular Chita, plays a similar role in Russia. More than 400 Chinese currently study at Zabaikalsky State University (ZabGU), which is 90% of the total number of international students.

One of them, 29—year-old Zhang Shenghao, is studying for a master's degree in Russian Language and Literature. The young man clarified that in the future he intends to help his parents who run a business in Russia. His countryman, 18—year-old An Juncheng, who is studying under the International Economics and Trade program, in turn intends to make a personal contribution to the development of Russian-Chinese relations.

Natalia Vikulova, Minister of Science and Vocational Education of the Trans-Baikal Territory, added that the cross-Years of education announced by Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping can make a special contribution to this process. Such an initiative, as she explained, is aimed at strengthening intercultural cooperation and developing multifaceted interaction between the border regions.

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The "cross" years of education in 2026-2027 were announced by Putin on August 30 last year. It was clarified that already at that time there was a positive trend in the exchange of students and teachers, as well as in establishing ties between universities.

Preparations for the official visit of the Russian leader, which will take place from May 19 to 20, are in full swing in Beijing. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on May 18 that Moscow has the most serious expectations from this trip. Beijing, in turn, as Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on the same day, intends to continue to promote bilateral relations with the Russian side. On May 18, the Russian president himself announced an unprecedented level of relations with China.