The perspectives of further cooperation with China were discussed at “Perm - The East” Forum.
The Mayor of Perm Aleksey Demkin took part in the Forum which was devoted to the 65th anniversary of Soviet-Chinese Friendship Organisation (now - Russian-Chinese Friendship Society).
The opening ceremony of the forum was attended by the Mayor of Perm Aleksey Demkin, Chairman of the Perm City Duma Dmitry Malyutin, Deputy Chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society Sergey Sanakoev.
“Perm along with other Russian cities has seen perspectives for inter–municipal cooperation in the eastern direction. China occupies a leading position in the global economy, has a rich history and culture. Since 2006, our city has been linked by strong twinning ties with the Chinese city of Qingdao. We actively cooperate in the fields of education, ecology, culture and youth policy. Moreover, there are other areas for cooperation with China: tourism, unique oriental cuisine, original crafts. In the current situation, it is the countries of the East that are becoming the main partners in economic and humanitarian activities. Perm is set to actively cooperate with the cities of China. Now we are preparing to sign the Agreement with the city of Changzhou. I am convinced that this will be the beginning of a wonderful and fruitful friendship," Aleksey Demkin said.
Representatives of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society traditionally take part in the activities of the Forum. Sergey Sanakoev, Deputy Chairman of the Society also congratulated the participants on the opening of the forum and noted that this year's event is of particular importance for the friendship of the two countries.
“On October 1, the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China will be celebrated. It is interesting that already on October 3, two days after the formation of the PRC, the Chinese-Soviet Friendship Society was established. The strategic partnership between Russia and China is definitely entering a new era today, and we are ready for this," Sergey Sanakoev commented.
Xie Yuan Peng, a representative of the Perm Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Jingxi Province, also made a welcoming speech at the opening of the forum.
"We have long ago achieved success in the field of exchange of cultural and educational experience with Perm. Many citizens of Perm have visited our province. A Peony Pavillion presenting the culture of our region has been constructed on the territory of Perm Classical School No. 2. We also remember how a delegation from your city presented Perm culture in 2018, so we are always glad to see Perm residents in our province and are confident that our interaction with Perm will be able to reach a new level," Xie Yuan Peng said.
The forum has several platforms related to the issues of promising cooperation between Perm and Chinese cities in the field of people-to-people diplomacy, tourism, education, culture and sports. In addition, the forum will host many workshops, such as calligraphy and Guohua painting, as well as an open Chinese lesson. One of the main events of the forum will be the presentation of a booklet about the history of China and the Chinese in the life of Perm.