This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the partnership of strategic coordination between China and Russia, the 25th anniversary of the signing of The Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation Between China and Russia and the “China-Russia Years of Education”. On this significant occasion, with the support of the Macao Foundation, a delegation led by Kong Fanqing, vice chairwoman of the University Council of City University of Macau (CityU) and Vice Rector Ip Kuai Peng as the deputy leader, recently headed to Russia to visit key universities and diplomatic institutions in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. The delegation was warmly received by Zhang Hanhui, Chinese Ambassador to Russia and Luo Zhanhui, Chinese Consul General in Saint Petersburg.
During the visit, Ambassador Zhang Hanhui affirmed CityU’s positive efforts to integrate into and serve the broader national diplomacy framework, as well as its initiatives to build people-to-people friendship bridges through educational exchanges. He encouraged CityU to leverage Macao’s distinctive strengths, deepen youth exchanges between China and Russia, and continue to tell the story of China-Russia friendship. The delegation also held discussions with young diplomats at the Embassy, gaining in-depth insights into the overall landscape of national cooperation with Russia and understanding the mission and responsibility of higher education institutions in transnational people-to-people diplomacy. Consul General Luo Zhanhui introduced local scientific and educational resources and current cooperations with China, highly affirming CityU’s commitment to international educational exchanges, and provided professional guidance on applying for national-level people-to-people exchange projects and establishing platforms for cooperation with Russia.
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The delegation visited the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University), Moscow Pedagogical State University, and the State University of Management in Russia, holding discussions and exchanges in areas such as talent cultivation, faculty and student exchanges, and research cooperation. Multiple consensuses were reached and cooperation agreements were signed, establishing long-term and stable inter-university cooperation mechanisms. The delegation also visited the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) and the Russian State Social University (RSSU), engaging in in-depth exchanges on institutional management experience and exploring diverse cooperation pathways, building regular communications for university-industry linkage and inter-university connectivity, further expanding cooperation space in education, culture, and youth innovation. In addition, the delegation visited the Chinese-Russian Chamber of Commerce to express gratitude for its support to the educational exchange and cooperation between the two nations.
This educational exchange visit to Russia was a key practice by CityU to implement the national China-Russia Years of Education initiative and support the high‑quality internationalization of Macao’s higher education. Members of the delegation noted that the visit yielded fruitful results, offering them not only a firsthand experience of the profound significance of people-to-people diplomacy in the new era and an expanded international perspective, but also a deeper understanding of China’s diplomatic landscape and its role as a major country. The experience further strengthened their love for the country and Macao, and reinforced their conviction to integrate personal aspirations into the broader national development agenda while proactively embracing the responsibilities of the times. Through in-depth exchanges with Russian universities, they broadened their academic horizons and became more actively engaged in international academic cooperation, contributing to talent development and mutual learning. Looking ahead, CityU will continue to deepen efforts with Russia in educational research, cultural appreciation, and youth development, contributing its strength to the comprehensive strategic coordination between China and Russia.
Source: Student Affairs Office
