Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A delegation from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, led by Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade, paid a working visit to its Chinese partner universities. The delegation also included Dmitry Rodionov, Director of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics, and Ekaterina Burova and Tatyana Mokeeva, Associate Professors at the Higher School of Economics and Management. The visit combined historical remembrance with strategic discussions on the future of Russian-Chinese academic partnership.
To understand the full symbolism of the visit, one must return to the late 1930s. Following the onset of full-scale Japanese aggression in 1937, China found itself in a critical situation. Its coastal regions were captured or blockaded by enemy naval forces, cutting off its main supply routes. The only artery linking China to the outside world was the overland "Northwest Corridor." Its final destination was Lanzhou in Gansu Province. Beginning in October 1937, an unprecedented operation to ferry Soviet military equipment began along this arduous route from Alma-Ata to Lanzhou. China received I-15 and I-16 fighters, SB bombers, tanks, artillery, fuel, and medical supplies.
But equipment without people is nothing. Following the aircraft, Soviet volunteer pilots set out for China. Formed in strict secrecy, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Air Groups engaged in fierce battles with the Japanese air force, which dominated the skies. Their primary mission was to protect Lanzhou itself—the heart of the "air bridge"—from aerial destruction.
It was a war of attrition. The Japanese launched massive air raids, attempting to cripple the logistics hub. Soviet pilots, flying worn-out aircraft in challenging mountainous conditions and without any knowledge of the language, held back the onslaught. They not only defended the skies but also trained their Chinese colleagues. More than 200 Soviet pilots died in battles over Lanzhou and on the dangerous ferry route. Many of them are buried in the memorial cemetery in the Zilin district. Their heroism defined for decades to come the Chinese people's attitude toward Russia as a brother nation that came to their aid in their darkest hour.
It was at this memorial, erected in the 1950s and a symbol of unbreakable friendship, that the SPbPU delegation laid a wreath and fresh flowers. Representing the Chinese partners, the ceremony was attended by Li Qiong, Director of the Institute of International Programs, and Cai Leiyue, Deputy Director.
"We stand here not only as representatives of the university, but also as heirs to that great generation," said Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Mechanics and Technology. "They defended the future. And our mission is to create the future. The trust built by their heroism today forms the foundation for our professional dialogue with our Chinese colleagues. We must live up to this memory by infusing Russian-Chinese cooperation with breakthrough projects in education and science."
"The historical truth is that our countries have endured trials together," VIES Director Dmitry Rodionov echoed his colleague. "And today, when discussing joint educational programs or research, we continue to build that same 'bridge'—only now a bridge of knowledge, technology, and human connections. This is the best tribute to the memory of the fallen."
The delegation visited two key partner universities, which occupy leading positions in their regions:
Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics (LUFE) is a leading university in economics and finance in Northwest China; Inner Mongolia University of Finance and Economics (IMUFE) is the main financial and economic university in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Polytechnic University's collaboration with its Chinese partners in financial education began in 2020. Since then, two successful joint programs have been implemented:
Joint international bachelor's degree program in Finance with LUFE (first cohort in 2021, 89 students enrolled); Joint international bachelor's degree program in International Finance (since 2022, joint program with LUFE and IMUFE, 63 students enrolled).
At the same time, the number of applicants is growing, despite the general trend of declining interest in some international programs.
A key event was a meeting with the new LUFE Vice President, Professor Huang Hengzhong. The parties praised the long-standing fruitful cooperation not only in education but also in research. In October 2025, Professor Huang Hengzhong participated in the opening ceremony of the SPbPU IDE 2025 international conference, organized by VIES.
The main outcome of the negotiations was the agreement to develop a detailed roadmap for cooperation for 2026-2030. The document will include both educational initiatives (expanding existing programs, launching new ones) and scientific projects.
"The partnership with Chinese universities creates a favorable environment for developing long-term research projects focused on fundamental, educational, and applied problems. Our strategic cooperation creates expanded conditions for implementing major inter-university initiatives, developing customized educational pathways, and strengthening the scientific and pedagogical school of engineering economics through joint technology programs. The format we are developing facilitates the creation of integrated digital solutions and strengthens the participants' positions in international cooperation," noted Vladimir Shchepinin.
During negotiations with IMUFE management, an agreement was reached to form joint research teams focused on research into current issues in financial economics and sustainable development principles. This collaboration includes holding regular international roundtables and a series of educational and scientific events.
Russian-Chinese university partnerships are creating a knowledge transfer architecture, where joint research laboratories and interdisciplinary programs enhance academic exchange. "The synergy between our academic schools leads to a broader range of competencies and accelerates technological innovation through the integration of approaches from two high-tech academic cultures focused on the long-term development of engineering, economics, and research," noted Dmitry Rodionov.
Following the mission, memorandums of understanding were developed with both universities. Implementation of the new agreements will begin in the first half of 2026. The SPbPU delegation not only held a series of successful meetings, but also embarked on a symbolic journey from a shared heroic past to a shared strategic future, cementing the university's role as an important link in Russian-Chinese relations.
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