Rector Lenar Safin: “Dialogue within BRICS will continue the good traditions of cooperation between Russia and China”
Today, on October 22, Kazan Federal University became the main venue for the launch of the III season of the project “Xi Jinping’s Favorite Catchphrases” in Russian.
The event was held as part of the XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and China.
Shen Haixiong, Deputy Head of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee, Director General and Editor-in-Chief of the China Media Group (CMG), Lenar Safin, Rector of Kazan Federal University, Oleg Dobrodeev, Director General of VGTRK, Margarita Simonyan, Editor-in-Chief of Russia Today, Vasily Pushkov, Director for International Cooperation of Rossiya Segodnya Media Group, Pavel Negoitsa, Director General of Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Aidar Salimgaraev, Head of the Tatarstan Press and Mass Communications Agency, took part in the opening ceremony as guests of honor.
According to Mr. Shen Haixiong, 75 years of historical experience has fully demonstrated that China and Russia will invariably be good neighbors and true inseparable partners.
“Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Sino-Russian ties are at an unprecedentedly high level, creating a model of a new type of relationship between major powers,” said the head of the Media Corporation of China. “Among other things, Sino-Russian humanitarian interaction is deepening, the value of which lies in the exchange of ideas and culture. In this regard, today we are launching a project dedicated to Xi Jinping’s favorite winged expressions. This media product features famous expressions from ancient Chinese canons and treatises used by the Chinese leader in his speeches, articles and conversations.”
Shen Haixiong said that in terms of content, these quotes deal with topics such as the priority of the people, reform and renewal, universal enrichment, ecology and environmental protection, cultural continuity, and multiculturalism.
“The project vividly reflects Xi Jinping’s rich spiritual world, his deep understanding of the principle of the people’s priority, concern for the country and the world, and reveals the unique spiritual symbols of Chinese culture, the core content of the new era and global values,” he explained.
The deputy head of the Chinese Propaganda Department concluded his speech with a quote of the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin on the value of close friendship, assuring that the Media Corporation will continue to work actively together with Russian colleagues and explore new horizons of humanitarian cooperation.
The Rector, in turn, expressed confidence in further strengthening of scientific, educational and cultural exchange between Russia and China and, in general, in continuing the good traditions of cooperation between the countries within the BRICS.
“Kazan is a place of attraction for many major international projects and events of various formats and topics, including those aimed at intensifying cooperation in the economic and socio-humanitarian spheres between Russia and China. Kazan University, which celebrates its 220th anniversary this year, occupies a special and important place in this process,” emphasized Lenar Safin.
He reminded that currently the university is actively developing scientific research in almost all fields of knowledge. Special attention is paid to biomedicine, modern energy, digital technologies, robotics and artificial intelligence, modern materials science.
“This factor encourages many talented students from abroad to enroll in Kazan University,” the Rector said. “In particular, there are more than 2000 Chinese students studying at KFU today. And our special pride is the Confucius Institute, the activity of which has received a new impetus within the framework of the joint years of culture of Russia and China in 2024 and 2025. Also, 1,000 Russian students of our university study Chinese as part of their main educational programs. In addition, we actively cooperate with 36 leading universities and companies in China, including Peking University, China Petroleum University, Shenzhen University, Haier, and other partners.”
KFU is a member of the Union of Journalism Education of Higher Education Institutions of China and Russia, the Association of Chinese Language Teachers and other professional communities. Currently, plans are being worked out for cooperation within the framework of the memorandum of understanding with the Research Institute of the Media Corporation of the People’s Republic of China.
At yesterday’s ceremony, the official exchange of documents was held with this institute, which secured further effective cooperation. Liang Jianzeng, Director of the CMG Main Editorial Office, came up to the stage as an official representative.
At the end, Lenar Safin together with the heads of Chinese and Russian media launched the program of broadcasting of “Xi Jinping’s Favorite Catchphrases” in the mainstream Russian media by jointly touching the glowing column.
