Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in a ceremony of opening Winter Games ZimFestAmur and drives KAMAZ truck in Blagoveshchensk

On 28 February the Rais (Head) of Tatarstan Rustam Minnihanov and the Governor of the Amur region Vasiliy Orlov took part in a ceremony of opening  the International Russia-China festival of winter sports ZimFestAmur  held in Blagoveshchensk  on 28 February and I March.

It is for the first time that Tatarstan is taking part in winter games as a guest of the region with the Vice Governor of the Peoples Government of the Heilongjiang Province Han Shengjian, the Chairman of the Peoples Government of the City of Heihe Zin Bo and representatives from the Anhui Province taking part in the events form the side of China.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rustam Minnikhanov welcomed all participants and guests of the festival and said: “This important event is a bright example of strengthening the strategic partnership and friendly relations of Russia and China. The Games show the importance of the development of cooperation in sport – one of the most powerful platforms for uniting peoples and cultures. Russia and China have a rich history of sporting achievements and traditions, and ambitious plans to promote healthy lifestyles and mass sports. This festival provides a good opportunity to exchange experiences, improve professional skills and inspire a new generation of athletes. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to the organization of this important event and wish everyone successful and spectacular competitions and the further development of bilateral sports and cultural ties.”

In his turn Vasiliy Orlov welcomed participants of the festival in Russian and Chinese languages and said: “This unique event brought together representatives of various sports and, since this year, different regions of the two countries. I thank our long-time partners form the Heilongjiang Province and guests from Tatarstan and the Anhui Province, famous athletes of both countries for their support and participation. I am confident that the festival will further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between our peoples.”

Rustam Minnikhanov, Vasily Orlov, and Vice Chairman of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province Han Shengjian, as well as representatives of Anhui Province, then opened the hockey match between the young hockey players of the Ak Bure (White Wolf) team (Russia) and their peers from the national teams of Heilongjiang and Anhui Provinces (China) with a symbolic puck drop and after the play guests of honor of the festival walked round other competitions sites. They also watched Demonstration races in trucks of the famous KAMAZ-master team - right on the ice of the Amur River and Rustam Minnikhanov, who is the Master of Sports of International Class, Honored Master of Sports of Russia in motorsports gave a ride on the KAMAZ truck to his colleague the Governor of the Amur region on the ice of the Amur River.

After truck competitions Vasiliy Orlov and Rustam Minnikhanov walked along the improved embankment of the Amur River and visited the House of Russia-China Friendship, where, at their working meeting Vasiliy Orlov told about projects to build a cross-border cableway across the Amur River and an international exhibition center in Blagoveshchensk.