GROWTH-2026: from "Chinese Google" to Sichuan opera and dragon racing

      The IT giant Baidu from China will participate in the "GROWTH" forum for the first time.

      The trade turnover between Tatarstan and China has increased 12 times over the past ten years.

      "We are approaching the finish line," said the head of the Investment Development Agency of the Republic of Tatarstan, Taliya Minullina, regarding the preparation for the International Forum "GROWTH: Russia and China - mutually beneficial cooperation." Notably, this year the countries celebrate two important milestones in the history of bilateral relations: the 30th anniversary of establishing strategic partnership and cooperation, as well as the 25th anniversary of signing the Treaty of Good Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation.

      The trade turnover between Russia and China reached $24.351 billion in the first half of 2026, an increase of 25.6% compared to the same period last year, reported the acting Consul General of China in Kazan, Cao Longquan.

      According to him, the trade turnover of Tatarstan with China has exceeded $3 billion for the third consecutive year and continues to grow. For comparison, in 2015, its volume was $264.3 million, and by the end of 2025, it exceeded $3.35 billion.

      "I would like to draw your attention to the dynamics of this growth: if we look back over the past ten years, Tatarstan and the People's Republic of China have increased their trade turnover by more than twelve times," noted the head of the Investment Development Agency of Tatarstan, Minullina.

      By the end of 2025, China became Tatarstan's largest foreign trade partner, with Turkey in second place, India in third, followed by Belarus and Kazakhstan. According to Minullina, the republic expects further development of joint scientific and production investment projects.

      "China is our main trading partner," said the head of the Investment Development Agency of Tatarstan.

      "Chinese Google" Baidu will participate in "GROWTH" for the first time.

      The "GROWTH" forum will be held for the fourth time, and according to Minullina, it has significantly grown over the years. Currently, 5,000 participants are registered, which is 25% more than on the same date last year.

      The registration system already includes 27 administrative divisions of China. The largest delegations are expected from Guangdong, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Suifenhe, and Shanxi. In total, the organizers expect to host eight government delegations from China.

      Representatives from 200 major corporations from China are expected. Minullina noted that the areas of activity of these companies vary, but they share one thing in common – impressive trade volumes and presence in many countries around the world.

      Among the participating companies in "GROWTH" are representatives from the technology company Baidu, often referred to as "Chinese Google." According to Minullina, the company ranks among the top three largest technology players in China and is actively developing artificial intelligence. Today, Baidu operates not only in the field of search services but also creates AI-based solutions, including its own models.

      Russian regions have shown interest in "GROWTH."

      According to Minullina, the participation of a large number of representatives from Chinese businesses in the "GROWTH" forum increases interest from Russian regions. At the time of the briefing, representatives from 60 regions of the country had registered. Besides Moscow and the Moscow region, the most numerous delegations are expected from Sverdlovsk and Orenburg regions, Bashkortostan, Chuvashia, Samara region, and Krasnodar Krai.

      At the level of regional heads, the participation of governors Vasily Orlov from Amur region and Alexander Sokolov from Kirov region is expected. Additionally, the forum will host chairmen of governments from several subjects and mayors of Russian cities who invited their Chinese partners to the platform.

      The business program will take place at the "Kazan Expo" venue, with organizers preparing 100 events across 19 tracks. The central event will be a plenary session on August 17, dedicated to training personnel for the development of trade and economic relations between Russia and China. This topic is related to the cross-year of education announced by both countries.

      "GROWTH" will host the international championship in microelectronics for the first time.

      A new feature of the "GROWTH" forum this year will be the international championship in microelectronics, with about 100 experts participating. Specialists from China, India, Brazil, and other countries will take part.

      "Today, we have 17 countries confirmed for the 'Russia-China' forum, but in fact, a large part of the international representation is precisely the championship in microelectronics," explained Taliya Minullina.

      Another new feature this year is the first scientific and business symposium "Russia - China: Technologies for Healthcare." Minullina noted that the symposium will serve as a platform for discussing cooperation between Russia and China in the healthcare sector, involving representatives from science, industry, and relevant authorities.

      "We are gathering luminaries, academics, and many guests from Moscow on this topic [healthcare]; the head of Roszdravnadzor will be speaking," she said.

      Sichuan opera and Tatar-Chinese performance: cultural program of "GROWTH."

      In addition to the business program, guests will enjoy a rich cultural program, as reported by the Minister of Culture of Tatarstan, Irada Ayupova. The central events will be performances by Sichuan opera artists on August 17 and 18 at the Galiaskar Kamal Tatar State Academic Theatre and the premiere of the joint Russian-Chinese play "Ez/Trace" on August 18 at the MOÑ venue.

      "The 'GROWTH' forum has traditionally become a platform not only for developing business ties but also for strengthening humanitarian dialogue. Today we see how cultural exchange is taking on new, even deeper forms," said the Minister of Culture of Tatarstan.

      Chinese Film Days will take place at the "Mir" cinema on August 17 and 18, and a "Cross-Cultural Zone" will be created at "Kazan Expo" with master classes, exhibitions, lectures, and performances by more than 150 artists.

      "Guests of the forum can expect one of the brightest platforms of the cultural program – the 'Cross-Cultural Zone,'" emphasized Ayupova. It will operate on August 17 and 18 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In five thematic zones, visitors will be able to learn about folk crafts, art, and cultural heritage of Russia, Tatarstan, and China.

      Taliya Minullina added that the concept of the "Cross-Cultural Zone" this year is built on the principles of feng shui and the five elements – wood, fire, earth, water, and metal.

      "We hope that our Chinese guests will appreciate our desire to be closer to them," said the head of the Investment Development Agency of Tatarstan.

      "GROWTH" will be complemented by dragon boat races and chess.

      Alongside the business and cultural program, a sports program will take place at "GROWTH." On August 16 at 10:00 AM, dragon boat races among Tatarstan enterprises will be held near the new building of the G. Kamal Theatre by the Nizhny Kaban Lake. According to Minullina, the races will not only be a sports competition but also a way to introduce participants to Chinese culture.

      "To skillfully manage the boat, there are ten participants who row, a drummer who creates the rhythm, and a person who commands the entire process. Coordination and a clear leader are essential here," she noted.

      The sports program of the forum will also include a chess tournament and table tennis master classes.

      Tatarstan is increasing exports in the agro-industrial complex and developing cooperation with China in medicine.

      Separately, the briefing highlighted the growth of exports of agro-industrial products to China. Since the beginning of the year, Tatarstan has increased agricultural product supplies to China by 2.5 times – to $33.5 million. The main volume consists of meat products, and there has also been a noticeable increase in the supply of flax seeds and sugar.

      "We consider China as a strategic partner. Our task is to consolidate this and simultaneously expand the range of product groups," said Rustem Gainullov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of Tatarstan.

      According to him, the republic continues to seek new opportunities for expanding supplies and hopes to use the "GROWTH" forum as a platform for this.

      Healthcare will be one of the areas of Russian-Chinese cooperation to be discussed at the forum. The business program includes issues related to the development of surgical assistance, the implementation of medical equipment and technologies, as well as the expansion of joint productions. According to Ildar Fatikhov, Deputy Minister of Health of Tatarstan, new agreements and memoranda of intent are expected to be signed.

      "We are a platform for implementing new products, modern medical devices, advanced technologies, and a place for exchanging experiences between specialists from Tatarstan and China," Fatikhov noted.

      Photo: prav.tatarstan.ru