Rustam Minnikhanov: Tatarstan is interested in developing closer relations with the Chinese province of Jilin

On April 11, in the city of Changchun (China), the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov and the deputy head of the Secretariat of the People's Government of Jilin Province Liu Haiqiang chaired a round table «Jilin-Tatarstan».

Jilin is a province in northeastern China with the capital and largest city Changchun. The province’s population amounts to 24 million people.

In 2023, the Jilin Province’s gross regional product amounted to 192 billion US dollars. It is China’s old industrial centre with developed wood processing and food industries, as well as soybean production and livestock farming. The engineering industry is represented by the production of automobiles, railway transport, agricultural machinery, machine tools, control and measuring devices, electrical devices and universal equipment. Oil and chemical industries are also among the main areas. Synthetic ammonia, ethylene, sulphuric acid and others account for a significant share of China’s chemical production and the food industry: meat, sugar, starch, alcohol, various drinks occupies an important place.

“The Tatarstan delegation includes heads of ministries, departments, and enterprises of the republic. We expect that during the meetings, business circles will open new areas for interaction and agree on joint projects,” Minnikhanov emphasized, welcoming the round table participants. He said the republic successfully cooperates with Chinese partners. Chinese leaders, official and business circles often visit Tatarstan. Representatives of Tatarstan are also actively getting acquainted with the provinces and studying best practices. There is a trade and economic representative office of Tatarstan in Beijing. The Consulate General of China operates in Kazan. “At the end of last year, trade turnover doubled and exceeded three billion dollars,” Minnikhanov emphasized.

The Rais of the republic noted the interest of Tatarstan in developing closer relations with the province of Jilin.

Liu Haiqiang said that the strategy of «One Belt - One Way» has been actively developing in recent years. “We are actively developing cooperation in energy and automotive industry. The trade turnover between Russia and Jilin shows growth for two years in a row», he said.