Adviser to the Russian President Anton Kobyakov and Chinese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Russia Li Hui held a meeting in Moscow.

The main focus of the meeting was China’s planned participation in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in 2019.

Russia has proposed that China serve as a guest country at the Forum. This format involves the attendance of the head of state and, among other things, the construction of a national pavilion within the exhibition space at the Forum, which will serve as the business and cultural centre for the country’s delegation and a venue for negotiations and presentations.

“The status of a guest country at SPIEF not only provides an opportunity to demonstrate the country’s economic and investment potential, but to also broadly present rich Chinese traditions, including gastronomic and cultural, to the Forum’s participants and guests. I am certain that the SPIEF platform will contribute to the further development of business ties with China as one of Russia’s largest trade and economic partners”, Kobyakov said.

A proposal was made to hold the traditional Russia–China business dialogue as part of the SPIEF business programme and to also to organize a panel session on Russian-Chinese cooperation on SMEs within the framework of the Russian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Forum on the opening day of SPIEF. In addition, Russia has proposed the status of a Forum partner for one or several major Chinese companies’ consideration.

“In 2019, we see excellent prospects for the development of relations between our countries. Next year we will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China. This is a landmark event. The leaders of our countries will determine the events that are to be dedicated to this anniversary date. A number of important business events are to be held, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. This is undoubtedly a key event for us, and we are confident that we will ensure there are practical results together with the Russian side”, Li Hui said.

The two officials also discussed Russia’s participation in the second Belt and Road Forum to be held in China in April 2019. China expects about 40 heads of state and government to attend the Forum.

Russia proposed organizing a Russia House at the forum in Beijing to serve as a platform for the presentation of Russia’s potential to business representatives taking part in the forum.