Rustam Minnikhanov has a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China Mardan Mukiyit

On September 7, the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov had a meeting with Deputy Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China Mardan Mukiyit, who arrived on a working visit in Tatarstan to take part in the international economic forum “ROSTKI: Russia and China-mutually beneficial cooperation”.

Welcoming the guest, Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized that in recent years Russian-Chinese relations have reached an unprecedented level. As one of the leading and industrialized Russian regions, Tatarstan actively participates in the development of cooperation between our countries, he said. Tatarstan hosted Chinese delegations of the highest level. The republic has signed seven agreements with the provinces of China - Shandong, Sichuan, Hunan, Anhui, Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, Chongqing, and many agreements between municipalities.

Kazan also maintains ties with six cities of China  - Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xian, Qiqikar. There is a trade and economic representative office of Tatarstan in Beijing, and a Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Kazan. Annually, the turnover of Tatarstan and China is growing. According to the results of last year, it increased by more than 58 percent and exceeded 1.6 billion dollars.

A number of joint economic projects with Chinese companies are being implemented in Tatarstan. A striking example is the corporation «Hayer», which opened factories for the production of refrigerators, washing machines, televisions; a smart factory for the production of commercial cold; a factory of stamped products. A water heater plant is under construction.

There is a good potential for developing cooperation in the humanitarian sphere. Kazan is one of the leading Russian scientific and educational centers.  There is Confucius Institute of Education and Culture in Kazan Federal University. About 2,000 Chinese students study in Tatarstan. Chinese students rank third in the number of foreign students in Tatarstan.

During the meeting, Minnikhanov briefed about the economy of the region.

He said that in 2024 Kazan will host «Games of the Future » - a large-scale international event at the intersection of sports, science and technology, and invited Chinese participants to take part in the competitions.

Another significant event to be held in Kazan next year is the Summit of the Heads of State of BRICS and BRICS+. “We expect the participation of a wide range of Chinese guests,” Rustam Minnikhanov emphasized.

The Rais of Tatarstan expressed confidence that the current visit will give impetus to further cooperation between the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and Tatarstan under the interregional cooperation.

Deputy Chairman of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China thanked for the invitation to participate in the forum «ROSTKI: Russia and China - mutually beneficial cooperation».