The first meeting of the Russian-Chinese Standing Working Group on Interregional and Cross-border Cooperation and Special Economic Zones was held in the video conference format. The Russian delegation was headed by the Director of the Department for Integration Projects and CIS Countries Development of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ilya Fyodorov, the Chinese delegation – by Director of the Eurasia Department of the Ministry of Commerce of China, Wang Kaixuan. Members of Russian state authorities and representatives of 55 regions took part in the conference on behalf of Russia.

During the first meeting the parties discussed key aspects of developing interregional and cross-border cooperation, as well as cooperation in terms of special economic zones. In particular, the participants specified the importance of promoting the development and strengthening of Russian-Chinese relations, increasing the volume of trade and overcoming the consequences of coronavirus infection. The parties also discussed major issues of investment cooperation between the regions of Russia and China.

The strengthening of cooperation in the field of special economic zones was also discussed during the meeting. The Chinese partners got closely acquainted with the features of the functioning of the SEZ "Alabuga" (Republic of Tatarstan), the SEZ "Almaz" (Saratov Region), as well as the investment project "Yenisei Siberia" (Krasnoyarsk Krai).

In addition, the parties assessed the results of cooperation in the Volga-Yangtze format and the prospects for the development of joint production, agricultural, sci-tech, humanitarian and other projects.

The decisions taken at the meeting of the Standing Working Group will be worked out both at the federal and regional levels.