KAZAN, 7 November. /TASS/. More than 20 provinces of China and 60 regions of Russia have registered to participate in the 2nd Russian-Chinese Forum Rostki, which will be held in Kazan, head of Tatarstan's Investment Development Agency and secretary of the forum's organising committee Taliya Minullina told reporters.

"This year we see growth, positive dynamics [in terms of guests]. <...> Last year there were 14 Chinese provinces, and this year there are already 25 registered. This shows that the platform has become popular among the Chinese provinces, they are all discussing it, planning to come," said Minullina, adding that registration is still open, so the number of guests could still grow.

Minullina also noted that representatives from 62 Russian regions have registered to attend the forum, up from 58 regions in 2023. In total, participants from 15 countries have registered so far.

The official expects high-ranking officials from both the Russian and Chinese sides to visit the event. "Igor Levitin, an aide to the president of the Russian Federation and the president's special representative for international cooperation in transport, is expected to attend. Which, understandably, is related to the issue of logistics, which is critical in the development of relations with China. <...> We are expecting the Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Alexander Babakov. In other words, we will also have the legislative power represented, which is important for us, because China is also bringing guests with similar responsibilities," Minullina said, noting that representatives of Russian ministries and governors will also be attending the forum.

She stressed that the Rostki Forum is a transparent platform for cooperation between the regions of the two countries. "There was no such platform in Russia before. There was no platform that focused specifically on the provinces of China and the subjects of the Russian Federation. And Tatarstan here is hospitably providing this platform, and we think that this is a good opportunity for our companies, first of all, to build some long-term relationships with the China," Minullina said.

According to Minullina, Tatarstan and the wider Russia will be able to sign new contracts, find new partners and launch new programmes in education, healthcare, sports and tourism.

Minullina also noted that there are already prospects of holding the forum next year. The provisional dates for the 3rd Forum are 12-13 November 2025.

About the Forum

The first international Russian-Chinese forum was held in September 2023. More than 7 thousand participants from 25 countries and 58 regions of Russia took part in the Forum. Some 21 agreements between Russia and China were signed at the first forum.