"Hello" Minnikhanov, Chinese chak-chak and Sichuan opera: how ROSTKI opened

      Red lanterns, a robot in a tubeteika, fortune cookies for Rais and five elements at the exhibition – how the Russian-Chinese forum welcomed its guests

      Red lanterns and Minullina in sky blue

      Kazan is hosting the Russian-Chinese forum for the fourth time. The already traditional venue "Kazan Expo" was abundant in red today – the pavilions were decorated with decorative panels and Chinese lanterns hung everywhere. For Chinese culture, this is a special color: it symbolizes luck, happiness, and prosperity, so the choice for a forum on cooperation between the two countries turned out to be more than telling. At the venue, one could meet a "panda" – an expert from one of the banks greeted guests in a strict business suit with a plush head of a Chinese bear. Guests at the Tatarstan stand were awaited by a robot in a tubeteika, who had swapped the usual green national costume for maroon. He talked about the republic and even managed to become the hero of a television interview. On the huge screen behind him, views of Kazan and footage from Russian-Chinese meetings changed. The host of the forum, the head of the Tatarstan Investment Development Agency, Talia Minullina, who carefully selects her outfit for thematic forums, wore a blue suit with a jacket featuring a stand-up collar, referencing Eastern tailoring. In the modern interpretation of Chinese color symbolism, blue and sky blue are associated with calmness, trust, harmony, and renewal. She gathered her hair up and secured it with decorative chopsticks – a traditional accessory for hairstyles in Chinese culture. Such hairpins have been used in China for many centuries and were not just decorations but part of a traditional look.

      Overall, at the forum, one could meet many people wearing national elements in their clothing, both Chinese and Tatar and Russian.

      Fortune cookies for Rais

      One of the most interesting parts of the forum is the exhibition. In the morning, Tatarstan's Rais Rustam Minnikhanov visited it. At the stand of a major Russian bank, guests were greeted with a familiar "Chinese" amusement – fortune cookies. One of them was given to Rustam Minnikhanov. However, as the correspondent of "Tatar-inform" found out, the fortunes here had a commercial subtext: the paper inside promised that cooperation with the bank would undoubtedly bring success in business. A separate space at "ROSTKI" this year was dedicated to medicine. The head of the Tatarstan Ministry of Health, Almir Abashev, organized a real tour for guests through the relevant stands. There was much to show: from new medical instruments and equipment to assistant robots that can already take on part of the work of doctors and medical staff.

      Five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water

      This year, almost half of the exhibition pavilion was dedicated to culture. For several years now, "The Cross-Cultural Zone" has been operating at ROSTKI – here, instead of business negotiations, guests are awaited with master classes, exhibitions, and introductions to national crafts. The space was divided into five thematic zones – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each zone featured its activities related to the culture and history of China.

      This year, the exhibition prepared by Kazan Federal University was particularly notable.

      "Here we have a unique collection of Chinese painting. This project was implemented under the direct supervision of Xi Jinping (the leader of China – note from T-i). And our university became the only one to receive a copy of the publication as a gift," explained the Minister of Culture of Tatarstan, Irada Ayupova, to the guests.

      Sichuan opera and Chinese chak-chak

      Meanwhile, a real Sichuan opera unfolded on stage – the audience was shown a scene from the production "Eagle Hunting." And this cultural program will not be limited to that: throughout the two days of the forum, Russian and Chinese groups will alternate with national dances, music, and theatrical performances. A separate stand at the exhibition was dedicated to Chinese treats, which have been gaining popularity in Russia in recent years. Rustam Minnikhanov was particularly attracted to shachima from Xinjiang – a sweet made from dough that closely resembles chak-chak.

      However, the correspondent of "Tatar-inform" found out through experience that while the external resemblance is strong, the similarities almost end there. Shachima is noticeably softer than chak-chak, and there is a slight milky note in the taste. An unexpected gastronomic bridge was formed between Tatar and Chinese cuisines.

      "Good day! Хәерле көн! Исәнмесез! Нихао, dear friends"

      At the opening ceremony of the forum, Minnikhanov greeted the guests in three languages.

      "Good day! Хәерле көн! Исәнмесез! Нихао, dear friends! It is gratifying that Tatarstan-China ties are strengthening every year and becoming a significant contribution to the reliable partnership between our countries. Our trade turnover last year reached a record value of 3.35 billion US dollars. China is the main investor in our republic," noted the Rais of Tatarstan.

      The forum has been held since 2023 and during this time has become one of the main platforms for cooperation between the regions of Russia and China. Here, representatives of government, business, science, education, and culture meet, and agreements are then transformed into new projects, joint productions, and educational programs, emphasized the Rais of Tatarstan.

      "In Russia, there are the WEF, the SPIEF. And at the center of all this is ROSTKI"

      Relations between Russia and China have been developing steadily for many years. This year, the countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of their partnership and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good Neighborliness, noted the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the PRC to Russia, Zhang Hanhui.

      "From January to June 2026, the volume of bilateral trade between Russia and China reached 159 billion dollars, exceeding the figures for the same period last year by 26%. It is quite possible that a new historical maximum will be set by the end of the year," he emphasized.

      The ROSTKI forum has become an important platform for dialogue between business representatives from both countries, the ambassador continued.

      "There are many important forums held in Russia: the Far Eastern, the St. Petersburg. But at the center of all this is ROSTKI," smiled Hanhui, eliciting a storm of applause from the audience at the ceremony.

      According to him, it is important to use the forum's resources as effectively as possible to expand cooperation between the countries and elevate it to a new level.

      The Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Alexander Babakov, agreed with the ambassador's opinion, calling for increased cooperation in various fields.

      "We hope that these two days of the forum will give a new impetus to cooperation between our countries and not only enter history but also positively influence the interaction of our countries," Babakov stated.

      The business program of the forum then commenced. It includes 19 tracks, and the key theme of the plenary session will be training personnel for the development of economic cooperation between Russia and China.

      Video: © Arseniy Karimov / "Tatar-inform"