Discussion Held Between Harbin Delegation and VARMSU on Municipal Collaboration Between China and Russia
The Russian region of Sverdlovsk Oblast is gearing up to strengthen its relationship with the Chinese city of Harbin, as a delegation from the latter has requested assistance in attracting Russian municipal leaders to participate in the "Global Mayors' Dialogue - Harbin" in 2025.
This planned event, set to take place in China, will focus on exchanging ideas and best projects to improve the quality of life in cities of both countries. Particular attention will be given to the implementation of cultural and educational projects.
Sverdlovsk Oblast and Harbin have a history of cooperation, with the establishment of twin city relations dating back to April 22, 1991. Chinese business is actively involved in projects being implemented in the Middle Urals.
Over the years, the two regions have signed agreements on trade, economic, scientific, and technological, as well as humanitarian cooperation. For instance, in 2016, an agreement was signed between the government of Sverdlovsk Oblast and the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province.
Lin Yanqiu, Deputy Chairman of the Harbin People's Congress, expressed hope for establishing contact with a large number of Russian cities with the support of VARMSU, the All-Russian Association of Local Self-Government. VARMSU Co-Chair, Irina Gusueva, noted the goal of creating conditions for sustainable social and economic development of municipalities.
A delegation from Harbin and VARMSU recently discussed joint projects in Moscow. The General Consulate of the People's Republic of China was opened in Yekaterinburg, the main city of Sverdlovsk Oblast, on September 25, 2009.
The prospects for cooperation include events aimed at strengthening friendly ties between Russian cities and China. In fact, Harbin has already hosted the 8th Russia-China EXPO in 2024.
For the most current and detailed information, official government websites of Sverdlovsk Oblast and Yekaterinburg City Hall should be consulted, as they regularly announce new agreements and sister city partnerships. No major historical cooperation is documented before the post-Soviet era.
This renewed focus on cooperation between Sverdlovsk Oblast and Harbin is a testament to the robust regional cooperation mechanisms that have developed between Russia and China since the early 2000s. The regions engage in trade, investment, and cultural exchanges, often formalized through agreements signed at the regional level, sometimes accompanied by "twin city" partnerships.
[1] "Russia-China Relations: A Historical Perspective." The Diplomat, 2020. [2] "Sino-Soviet Relations: A Comprehensive Analysis." The Asia Pacific Journal, 2018.
Politics and general news discussions might arise as Sverdlovsk Oblast of Russia and Harbin, China, further develop their cooperation, focusing on exchanging ideas and best projects for urban development, particularly cultural and educational projects. This collaboration, originally sparked in the post-Soviet era, has evolved over the years to become a significant part of regional politics between Russia and China.
