On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, the 2024 annual meeting of the China-Russia Youth Business Incubator exchange program and the second China-Russia Youth Entrepreneurs Trade and Economic Cooperation and Exchange Event were held in Heihe, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, from July 25 to 27.

The event was part of efforts to thoroughly implement the instructions of the leaders of both countries on supporting the China-Russia Youth Business Incubator exchange program, and deepen pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between the youth of both countries.

Over 100 young entrepreneurs from China and Russia participated in the event.

The theme of this year's event was "consolidating development consensus, embracing China-Russia partnership" and featured promotional activities, keynote speeches, case sharing and business negotiations.

Young entrepreneurs from China and Russia engaged in discussions on such topics as agricultural product processing, culture and tourism at border areas, international trade and the ice-and-snow economy. They also conducted field visits to regions including Bei'an, Nenjiang and Wudalianchi to learn more about local investment policies and business prospects.

During the event, the China International Youth Exchange Center (CIYEC) released outstanding practice cases coming out of the business incubator exchange program to date, and presented exemplary programs of pragmatic exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian youth.

On the sidelines of the event, the Heihe Area of the China (Heilongjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone and the Heilongjiang Provincial Youth Entrepreneurs Association signed a framework agreement for deepening exchanges and cooperation with Russia, aiming to provide services for regular exchanges between Chinese and Russian young makers and entrepreneurs, and build a platform for innovation and entrepreneurship for them.

Many of those who attended the event lauded its positive role in enhancing economic and trade cooperation and sharing development opportunities between youth from both countries.  Zhan Ming, General Manager of Chenxing Commercial Holding Co in Heihe, noted that after years of effort, the exchange program has become the main platform for experience sharing between young entrepreneurs from the two countries.

Alexey Yezhov, Chairman of the Russian International Cooperation Leaders Organization, said that the incubator program not only provides opportunities for self-development of young entrepreneurs from both countries, but also offers them chances to find new business partners, learn from excellent enterprises and contribute to the economic development of both countries.

Li Xipeng, General Manager of Asiber (Yingkou) Economic and Trade Information Consulting Co, pointed out that the incubator program, through  pairing exchanges at sub-national level, enables young entrepreneurs from China and Russia to gain a deeper understanding of each other's culture, economy and market opportunities, laying a solid foundation for trade exchanges between small and micro enterprises from the two countries.

Alexander Potabinko, Vice Chairman of the Russian International Youth Chamber of Commerce, said he believed that the young entrepreneurs of China and Russia have unlimited potential, and the far east region of Russia and the northeastern region of China have the greatest potential to achieve integrated development. He expressed the hope that youth organizations from both countries would organize more programs on promoting pragmatic cooperation between Chinese and Russian youth in the future.

The event was guided by the All-China Youth Federation and jointly organized by the CIYEC, the Heilongjiang Committee of the Communist Youth League, the Foreign Affairs Office of the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province, the Heihe City Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Heihe Municipal Government, and the Heilongjiang Provincial Youth Federation.