On October 22, as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Kazan, Russia for the 16th BRICS summit, a significant cultural exchange event celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia took place. This event was jointly organized by China Central Television (CCTV) and the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company. Attendees witnessed the launch of CCTV’s “What is Civilization? Encountering Liangzhu” exhibition, which is part of a global tour in 2024. Collaborative agreements were reached between CCTV and multiple Russian institutions, and joint media projects like “Meet China” and “My China Story” were announced.
During his address, Shen Haixiong, Vice Minister of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China and Director of CCTV, emphasized the historical significance of this year, marking not only the 75th anniversary of the founding of New China but also the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Russia and the kickoff of “China-Russia Cultural Year.” He noted that under the strategic guidance of both countries’ leaders, Sino-Russian relations have reached unprecedented heights and serve as a model for new-type major power relationships. Shen expressed CCTV’s commitment to promoting friendship between the two nations and highlighted recent collaborations with Russian media to foster cultural ties and mutual understanding.
Dubrova, President of the All-Russia State Television, spoke about the importance of media collaboration in cultural exchanges, noting the enduring partnership between his organization and CCTV. He stressed that their dialogue, based on mutual respect, has led to significant joint efforts and stronger cooperation, especially in news and film content.
Simonyan, Editor-in-Chief of RT, discussed the accelerated cooperation between China and Russia in recent years, which has elevated their bilateral relationship. She recognized the fruitful exchanges between Russian and Chinese media and expressed hope that the cultural exchange event would deepen Russia’s understanding of modern China.
Negoytch, President of the Rossiya Segodnya, mentioned that the collaboration between Russian and Chinese media has grown significantly, benefiting cultural exchanges between the two countries. He emphasized the potential for greater energy and impact in their partnership.
Pushkov, Director of International Cooperation at the Russia Today International Media Group, highlighted the friendship and mutual respect underpinning Sino-Russian relations. He underscored the importance of media collaboration as a priority and expressed confidence that joint efforts would help create a fair and objective information landscape.
Safin, President of Kazan Federal University, noted the strong grassroots support for friendly ties and mutual benefit between the two countries, especially among young students. He mentioned that Kazan Federal University has been teaching Chinese since 1837 and emphasized the role of the “China-Russia Cultural Year” in fostering educational exchanges.
In a video address, Zhang Hanhui, the Chinese Ambassador to Russia, remarked on the significance of this 75th anniversary in the context of growing bilateral relations. He emphasized that human exchanges remain a powerful catalyst for continued growth and urged for the creation of more cultural highlights to strengthen the bond between the peoples of both nations.
The special exhibition “What is Civilization? Encountering Liangzhu” was officially launched, aiming to introduce the profound history and cultural richness of Liangzhu to Russian audiences. Various collaborative agreements were signed for content production and exchange between CCTV and Russian entities, enhancing cooperation in multiple areas.
Furthermore, the joint reporting project “Meet China,” conceptualized by CCTV and Russia’s Independent Television, goes live, focusing on topics like Chinese modernization through on-the-ground storytelling from various regions in China. A documentary series titled “My China Story,” depicting personal narratives of Russian friends living in China, premiered on mainstream media in Russia.
At the event, the Ossipov National Orchestra performed traditional songs, celebrating the enduring friendship between China and Russia, which was witnessed by over 300 notable figures from various sectors of both nations, including politics, culture, and media.
