Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Svetlana Zadera, journalist for Rossiyskaya Gazeta
Beijing, March 8. — Svetlana Zadera, a journalist for Rossiyskaya Gazeta, traveled to Beijing specifically to cover the year's main political event—the "two sessions." In an exclusive interview with a journalist from the Zhongguowang website, she shared her impressions of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's speech and described how the high level of bilateral relations is impacting ordinary people.
"Relations between Russia and China have been and remain as immovable as a mountain."
"As a journalist, I was especially pleased to hear him say that relations between Russia and China have been and remain as stable as a mountain. This isn't just a beautiful metaphor – it's a statement of a fact we observe every day," Svetlana Zadera shared, describing Wang Yi's remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.
In her opinion, the Chinese Foreign Minister's speech clearly demonstrated the continuity of the course toward deepening Sino-Russian relations—a comprehensive partnership and strategic interaction—in the new era. "We truly have a long history, we share a fairly long border, and our cooperation is developing on many levels: economic, cultural, and social," she added.
China has opened a visa-free regime for millions of Russians.
The journalist is confident that political statements directly influence the real improvement of people-to-people contacts. "We, journalists, see the practical results of the high level of relations that Minister Wang Yi speaks of. Last year's visa-free regime dramatically increased tourist flow. China has become more accessible to Russians, and this is a direct result of the good-neighborliness policy voiced from high-ranking podiums," she says, emphasizing that the "two sessions" set the tone not only for politics but also for the daily lives of citizens of both countries.
When asked about the current most attractive topics for Russian audiences, Svetlana answered without hesitation: "Currently, it's tourism. Since last year, visa-free travel has been in effect for Russians, and the flow of tourists from Russia to China has increased exponentially. China is now one of the top five countries where Russians go on vacation. Several factors have contributed: the visa-free regime and excellent flight options from various Russian cities. You can travel to Beijing, Shanghai, and Xi'an. This makes travel convenient."
Cashless and Fearless: How Technology is Breaking Down Barriers
Discussing the mundane aspects of travel, she noted that despite the lack of access to Visa and Mastercard, there is a solution: "Alipay solves part of the problem; it's become more accessible. I use it. For Russians visiting for the first time, trying to figure out how the payment system works is stressful. But it's good that the option is there; it's convenient."
Many tourists are afraid of the language barrier. Few people in China speak English, and few speak Russian. However, as the journalist noted, this isn't a problem: "This is a wonderful feature of your country. People here use electronic translators very easily. They don't even bother: 'We'll translate now.' It's all so quick, compact, and natural that there's no need to worry. We tell tourists: don't be afraid, you'll be understood. With a simple translation, you'll figure it out. Technology is everywhere, it's used. We just need to write about it more often. In fact, that's what we're doing."
Science Diplomacy: From the Arctic to Carbon Neutrality
Speaking about the most promising areas of cooperation, Svetlana noted: "For me, the most interesting topic is the scientific study of the Arctic. This requires new technologies, new developments, and constant modernization."
She emphasized that China's 15th Five-Year Plan includes the topic of low-carbon development and related technologies. "Climate change concerns us all. In China and Russia, we are already feeling it very strongly. We can't stop it; it's already happening, but we can adapt to it and slow down the process. The use of carbon-neutral technologies allows us to achieve this. China has taken this work on board. This is a very inspiring story. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out in practice."
Looking to the Future: Chinese Robotics Makes a Difference
By the end of the conversation, it became clear that Svetlana was most interested in robotics on this trip. "I want to see how robotics is developing in China. The New Year's video with moving robots really caused a stir. It's interesting: where is the line? When will we finally stop teaching robots? How do they see this in this country? How does it all work, how are they integrated into society? I think this is a very interesting point. China is a leader in this regard. I've never seen robots that can move like this anywhere, not even on the internet. I want to see how this industry will develop and how China sees its future."
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
