On October 12, speaking at a between Russian Deputy Government Chairman Dmitry Rogozin, China State Council Vice Premier Wang Yang and Russia and China company CEOs and regional governors that took place within the 2nd Russia-China Expo in Harbin, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that promoting interregional cooperation is a reliable mechanism for strengthening Russia-China strategic relations.

Welcoming the meeting participants, Minnikhanov thanked Russian Federation and People’s Republic of China authorities who have done a lot to promote interregional cooperation. It was a good tool for consolidating the relations between Russia and China, he added.

“Tatarstan is one of Russia’s leading and industrially developed regions. Our republic ranks first in the Russian list of regions with the most favourable investment climate. We are interested in Chinese companies choosing our republic to enter the Russian market,” he stressed.

Culture, education, research, sport and tourism are areas with good potential for cooperation with China, Minnikhanov said. Kazan is a leading research and education centre, he went on to add. About 400 Chinese students study at Kazan higher schools. A Confucius Culture Institute is active at Kazan Federal University. “We are interested in more Chinese students coming to Kazan universities,” Tatarstan President stated.

Cooperation in the field of tourism should be promoted as well, he continued. In conjunction with China’s Agency for International Tourism, a touristic route to Kazan has been developed. According to Minnikhanov, launching direct flights between Kazan and Chinese cities could facilitate an increase in tourist traffic.

Summing up, Tatarstan President thanked his vis-a-vis for the invitation, and called on the Chinese counterparts to promote cooperation with Tatarstan.