The China Puzzle: Building Business with the Celestial Empire
Cooperation with Chinese partners in all spheres of the economy is reaching a new qualitative level. At the same time, Russian entrepreneurs often lack knowledge about the specifics of doing business with China. Ways to solve this problem and strengthen the bilateral partnership were discussed at the ‘Russia—China: Business in a Multipolar World’ forum held at HSE University.
The annual international forum ‘Russia—China: Business in a Multipolar World’ was held with the support of the Media-Communication Union as part of HSE University’s International Partners’ Week. At the forum, HSE University’s new Executive Master programme ‘Business with China: Organisational, Legal and Financial Support’ was presented, and a cooperation agreement with the Russian-Chinese B2B digital trade platform QIFA was signed.
Nikita Anisimov, HSE University Rector, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. He wished constructive cooperation to the forum participants and expressed confidence that the opinions voiced would enrich the expertise of both countries and contribute to bringing bilateral economic cooperation to a new qualitative level.
Nikita Anisimov
HSE University Rector
‘Cooperation between Russia and China is a necessary element of the global turn to the East. As this cooperation develops, a large number of Russian entrepreneurs and managers will need to become more familiar with the ways of doing business in the Chinese business environment, taking into account administrative and legal factors. With that in mind, our university is launching a special master’s programme next month.’
First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs, former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the PRC (2013–2022) Andrey Denisov stressed the key role of Russia and China in building a multipolar world. ‘Polycentricity is in the interests of the global international majority. Today we have common tasks with our Chinese partners,’ he believes.
President of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia Zhou Liqun emphasised the importance of diplomatic relations between countries and their significant contribution to the development of a multipolar world. ‘Working with a Russian partner, we feel support at the highest level,’ he noted. According to him, economic cooperation between Russia and China is developing rapidly in all sectors of the economy: trade volume has grown by 32% this year.
In Russia, a huge amount of work is currently underway to build an effective partnership with Chinese colleagues, emphasised Dmitrii Kuznetsov, Director at the Higher School of Law and Administration, Tenured Professor at HSE University, and Chairperson of the Expert Council for the Development of Professional Qualifications at the State Duma Committee on Science and Higher Education.
The upheavals of recent years have presented an opportunity for relations between Russia and China, emphasised Victoria Panova, HSE University Vice Rector.
Cooperation is being established in various sectors of the economy. In addition to the growing trade in goods, trade in services is developing, and tourism is actively growing.
In addition, she spoke about university cooperation with Chinese colleagues. Currently, HSE University has built partnerships with 26 organisations in China. More than 200 Chinese citizens study at HSE University, and about 80 HSE University students are trained at universities in China. Also, 12 joint projects are being implemented as part of fundamental research at HSE University.
Victoria Panova
HSE University Vice Rector
‘Enormous opportunities are opening up now for expanding mutual trade and launching new investment and educational projects. The potential is significant—a lot can be done today.’
The PRC has been Russia’s largest trading partner since 2010, emphasised Sergey Lukonin, Head of the China Economics and Politics Sector at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO RAS), and Chief Expert at HSE University’sHigher School of Law and Administration.
Sergey Lukonin
Chief Expert at HSE University’sHigher School of Law and Administration
‘Today, China is the largest supplier of technically complex equipment for Russia, one of the main consumers of Russian natural resources (including oil and gas), as well as agricultural products. In addition, China is a fairly large investor and participates in joint projects in the field of space exploration, aircraft manufacturing, defence, mining, processing and transportation of energy and other minerals, telecommunications, transport, etc.’
At the end of the plenary session, Natalya Pomozova, moderator and member of the Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy, spoke about HSE University’s Executive Master programme ‘Business with China: Organisational, Legal and Financial Support’, of which she is Administrative Head. The training is practice-oriented in nature, involves the development of complex systemic competencies in management and contributes to achieving success in building business with Chinese partners.
Opportunities of International e-Commerce
The topic of entrepreneur training was continued at the ‘Russian and Chinese Business: Leadership in Digital World’ discussion panel moderated by Artem Semenov, Academic Supervisor of the ‘Business with China: Organisational, Legal and Financial Support’ programme, Advisor to the Governor of Moscow Region, and honorary citizen of Jiangsu Province (PRC).
Despite the obvious benefits, Russian entrepreneurs often do not have enough knowledge to cooperate with Chinese partners, said Anna Bessmertnaya, Chairperson of the Commission on Foreign Economic Cooperation with Chinese Partners of the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Also, Russian business does not fully utilise the capabilities of Chinese electronic platforms. At the same time, the potential is enormous. In particular, Chinese consumers are interested in Russian cosmetics and food products.
Elena Anikeeva, Master of Chinese Business Law (University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), Beijing), lawyer of the Primorsky Regional Bar Association, emphasised the need to possess knowledge of the Chinese language for drawing up legal documents, in particular contracts and agreements between companies.
The speech by Sun Tianshu, President of HYLINK Supply Chain Management, an international Russian-Chinese holding company, was dedicated to digital trade. He said that both countries actively implement government strategies for the digital economy in the areas of finance and taxation, as well as customs. E-Commerce structures are intensively developing in these fields. ‘The digitalisation of Russian-Chinese trade will lead to an increase in bilateral trade turnover by USD 100 billion,’ Sun Tianshu calculated. He spoke about the QIFA Russian-Chinese B2B digital trade platform, of which he is the founder and chair of the board. A cooperation agreement with the platform was signed within the framework of the forum. The platform provides comprehensive e-commerce services, including cross-border transactions, procurement, marketing, cargo consolidation and distribution, and supply chain finance.
The speech by Vasily Lemutov, founder of the Asia Business Blog expert and analytical project, was devoted to the prospects for the development of the digital yuan and digital rouble, as well as cooperation between these two currencies.
In addition, the forum was attended by Mei Xiaying, Postdoctoral Professor at the Law Institute of the People’s University of China, Dean of the School of Law at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE); Luo Ersi, General Representative of Sany in the CIS, and Zhao Di, General Director of OneMig International Logistics LLC.
See also:
‘My Thesis Defence Was a Lively Discussion’
Han Zhang, from China, has worked at the International Laboratory for Evaluation of Practices and Innovations in Education at HSE University-Moscow since 2023. In October 2024, she successfully defended her PhD thesis on the relationship between collaborative peer editing and the quality of academic writing in a second language. She spoke with the HSE News Service about why she chose to join HSE University and how her research can be used to improve student writing performance.
Russia and China: A New Cooperation Trajectory Developed at HSE University
A unique approach to measuring human well-being has been developed at HSE University, opening up new opportunities for international collaboration. Russia and China, both of which have significantly reduced poverty in recent years, demonstrate a unique potential for joint efforts in this area. At an international forum in Kazan titled ‘SPROUTS: Russia and China–Mutually Beneficial Cooperation,’ HSE University representatives, including Vice Rector and initiator of the Human Capital Multidisciplinary Research Centre Lilia Ovcharova, and Deputy Vice Rector Maria Nagernyak, emphasised the importance of integrating the efforts of the two countries.
HSE MIEM and Nanjing University Discuss Joint Projects in Engineering Sciences
Developing cooperation in engineering sciences was the key topic during the latest visit of a delegation from Nanjing University to HSE University. This time, the guests were hosted by the HSE Tikhonov Moscow Institute of Electronics and Mathematics (MIEM).
Mathematicians from Russia and China Meet at HSE University
From November 5 to 9, 2024, HSE University, in collaboration with the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications, is hosting a joint conference on algebraic geometry and mathematical physics. Over 30 mathematicians from leading universities in Russia and China are presenting on recent advancements in geometry and mathematical physics. The conference is held in a hybrid format.
‘Communication with Native Speakers Allowed Me to Look at the Language from a Different Perspective’
Students from HSE University–Perm completed language courses in Tianjin, China. The programme included not only classes with native speakers, but also cultural events, accommodation in a dormitory at Tianjin University, and trips to local attractions.
ICEF Students Share Impressions of China’s Top Summer Schools 2024
This summer, a total of 24 bachelor's and master's students from HSE ICEF travelled to China to attend summer courses at some of the country's top universities, including Fudan University, SWUFE, and SJTU. The ICEF News Service spoke with some of them to learn about their experiences.
'These Are Unforgettable Impressions, I Will Cherish Them Forever'
HSE St Petersburg International Summer School is in full swing—right now, international students from 12 countries are attending lectures and enjoying the cultural programme. The HSE News Service talked to the participants about their most vivid impressions.
HSE University Enhances Cooperation with Top Universities in China
A delegation from HSE University paid a working visit to China, meeting with representatives from leading universities in Hangzhou, Nanjing, and Shanghai. Delegates from several HSE departments, including the International College of Economics and Finance, the Faculty of Computer Science, the Faculty of Geography and Geoinformation Technology, the Institute of Education, and the International Partnerships Office, attended the visit. Discussions at each university focused on expanding current cooperation and identifying and creating new projects and initiatives.
HSE University and the Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications Sign Cooperation Agreement
HSE University, together with its Chinese partners, will be implementing the scientific project ‘Geometry and Physics,’ which won the ‘Academic Cooperation’ competition at HSE. The International Laboratory for Mirror Symmetry and Automorphic Forms acts on behalf of HSE University. The Beijing Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Applications (BIMSA), represented by a team of renowned mathematicians including Fields medallists, will also be involved in the project.
The XI Russian-Chinese Summer School on International Relations Kicks Off at HSE University
On July 1, 2024, the opening ceremony of the XI International Russian-Chinese Summer School on International Relations, titled ‘Partnership and Cooperation in the New World Order,’ took place. The event was organised by the HSE Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs in collaboration with HSE Centre for Comprehensive European and International Studies (CCEIS). Graduate and postgraduate students from various countries have come to Moscow to study international relations and collectively envision a new world order.