China, Russia mark 75 anniversary of diplomatic ties with cultural exchange event in Kazan

A cultural exchange event to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia was held in western Russia's Kazan City on Tuesday, on the occasion of Chinese President Xi Jinping's attendance at the 16th BRICS Summit in the city.

The event was jointly hosted by China Media Group (CMG) and the All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK).

Attending the event were more than 300 guests, including prominent figures from Russia's political, media and education sectors.

At the launching ceremony of the cultural exchange event, the attendees witnessed the unveiling of the "Journey Through Civilizations: An Encounter with Liangzhu" 2024 World Tour exhibition in Russia. The CMG has reached agreements on cooperation with multiple Russian institutions in realizing the exhibition. The two sides announced plans for upcoming broadcasting of programs such as "Meeting China" and "My China Story," jointly produced by the CMG and Russian media.

The Russian Presidential Office sent a letter to congratulate the event.

Speaking at the event, Shen Haixiong, deputy head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and CMG president, emphasized that the CMG has always been dedicated to promoting the enduring friendship between China and Russia, and boosting mutual understanding and closer ties between the two peoples. In recent years, the CMG has strengthened cooperation with leading Russian media outlets in co-producing news feature films and organizing various cultural exchange activities, thereby contributing to building a bridge of exchange between the two countries.

Shen expressed that the CMG will continue working with all sectors in Russia to create new highlights for the "2024-2025 China-Russia Years of Culture" and to further enhance the friendship between the two nations.

Oleg Dobrodeev, CEO of VGTRK, recalled that the VGTRK has maintained close communication and cooperation with the CMG for many years, establishing a robust framework for ongoing collaboration. Looking ahead, the two sides will further deepen their cooperation and content sharing in the fields of news coverage, film-making and television, with the goal of enhancing mutual understanding and strengthening friendship between the two peoples, said Dobrodeev.

Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia Today (RT), said that the RT has maintained strong communication with Chinese media, including the CMG, for many years, creating better cooperation opportunities and broadening its perspectives. This cultural exchange event, held to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China, will enable people from all walks of life in Russia to gain a deeper understanding of China in the new era, he said.

Simonyan expressed the hope that the media outlets of both countries will take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China as an opportunity to maintain close cooperation and inject new vitality into the cultural and non-governmental exchanges between the two nations.

Pavel Negoitsa, general director of Rossiyskaya Gazeta, stated that the newspaper enjoys strong cooperation with the CMG. As close and reliable partners, both sides are capable of generating significant momentum and extending their collaboration into broader areas. He expressed the confidence that this event will continue the tradition of good-neighborliness and friendship between Russia and China, while enhancing mutual understanding and trust. He also voiced his willingness to further strengthen cooperation with the CMG and contribute to the continued growth of Russia-China relations.

Vasily Pushkov, director of the Directorate for International Cooperation MIA "Russia Today", emphasized that Russia-China relations have been advancing across many fields, with the media sector consistently being a priority. He noted that cooperation with Chinese media, including the CMG, remains one of Russia Today's most important objectives.

Pushkov expressed the belief that only through joint efforts and moving forward together can a fair and objective information space be created -- one that serves the interests of all nations -- and help promote a multipolar world.

Lenar Safin, rector of Kazan Federal University, pointed out that the longstanding friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between Russia and China have always enjoyed strong public support. In particular, the exchange of visits between young students has fostered long-term optimism for continued strengthening of bilateral relations. Kazan Federal University, with a history of 220 years, established Russia's first Chinese teaching and research section in as early as 1837. Currently, thousands of Russian students are studying Chinese through foundational education programs, and the "2024-2025 China-Russia Years of Culture" has provided new opportunities for the development of the Confucius Institute at Kazan Federal University.

Safin noted that today's events will further strengthen Russia-China exchanges in scientific research, education, and culture, ensuring that the rich tradition of cooperation between the two countries endures.

Delivering a video speech, Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui said that this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, which is of great and special significance in the history of the development of bilateral relations. People-to-people exchanges are an inexhaustible motive force to promote sustainable development of bilateral relations. The two sides will further implement the consensus reached by the heads of state of the two countries, create more highlights of people-to-people exchanges, jointly run the "2024-2025 China-Russia Years of Culture", and continue to tighten the ties between the two peoples.

The "Journey Through Civilizations: An Encounter with Liangzhu" 2024 World Tour exhibition saw the launch of its Russian stop during the event. The exhibition aims to showcase the long history and rich significance of east China's Liangzhu culture. Through displays featuring Liangzhu artifacts, traditional folk experiences, and cultural and creative products, the Russian public can personally experience the depth and captivating charm of Chinese civilization.

Located in the Yangtze River Basin of East China's Zhejiang province, the archeological ruins of Liangzhu (circa 3,300-2,300 BCE) reveal an early regional state with a unified belief system based on rice cultivation in Late Neolithic China. It has been listed as one of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) World Heritage sites since 2019.

During the event, CMG signed agreements on cooperation with Kazan Federal University, the National Museum of the Republic of Tatarstan, and TV BRICS. These agreements cover content co-production, personnel exchange, technological innovation, market expansion, and the development of cultural tourism resources. The China-Russia joint reporting program named "Meeting China," jointly planned and launched by China Global Television Network (CGTN) and NTV, a Russian free-to-air television channel, began its airing on the same day, on the occasion of the BRICS Summit. Centered around the theme of Chinese modernization, the program reveals how a group of Chinese and Russian journalists visited Zhejiang, Sichuan, and other Chinese regions to cover China's achievements in comprehensively deepening reforms across various fields and major development opportunities the reforms have created for the world.

At the event, the Osipov Russian Folk Orchestra performed Chinese and Russian music to extend their best wishes for friendship between the two countries.

China, Russia mark 75 anniversary of diplomatic ties with cultural exchange event in Kazan

China, Russia mark 75 anniversary of diplomatic ties with cultural exchange event in Kazan

Nicaragua's co-foreign minister Valdrack Jaentschke has warned that militarism must never be allowed to rise again, as Japan's recent moves to lift its arms export ban and revise the pacifist Constitution continue to draw international concern.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the Tokyo Trials, where Japan's Class-A war criminals from World War II were brought to justice.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Valdrack Jaentschke voiced his concern that today's world order is being undermined by interventionism and other challenges.

"It is necessary for us to remember that after the end of World War II, countries worked hard to build a new international order based on international law. However, regrettably, more than 80 years later, we are seeing that this once explored and attempted order is being challenged by interventionism, a confrontational mindset, and tendencies like 'might makes right.' These are precisely the conditions that gave rise to fascism and militarism in the past, which ultimately led to the tragedy of World War II," he said.

He said the international community has a responsibility to pursue a new international order -- one fundamentally grounded in peace.

"Looking back at the history more than eight decades ago and comparing it with today's reality, it is our responsibility to recognize that the world should, and must, build a new international order that is more just, fairer, rooted in international law, based on a logic of mutual benefit and shared success, and fundamentally grounded in peace," said the minister.

"Today, as we revisit the Tokyo Trials, it is meant to remind the world that such a tragedy must never be repeated -- and that we must do everything in our power to prevent it from happening again. We must stop that dark world -- born from militarism, interventionism, and fascism -- from ever returning," he said.

Nicaraguan FM warns of militarism revival