On June 25-26, a delegation from Altai State University, led by Rector Sergey Bocharov and First Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Evgeniya Zhdanova, visited Xinjiang University (People's Republic of China), where the International Central Asian Conference on Cooperation in Production, Education, Scientific Research, and Implementation was held.

As Sergey Bocharov explained, the comprehensive two-day program covered two agendas. One focused on coordinating joint scientific and educational projects between China and Central Asian states as part of the implementation of the Great Silk Road intercontinental project.

"The lineup of speakers demonstrated that China is systematically and decisively linking Central Asian states into its technological platforms at a strategic level. They included Liu Jianming, Head of the Working Group on Education Issues of the Party Committee of the Xinjiang Industrial and Construction Association; Sun Weidong, Secretary-General of the China–Central Asia Mechanism; Ren Youqun, Vice Minister of Education of the People’s Republic of China; and others,”the rector emphasized.

Sergey Bocharov noted that the close attention paid to education is driven by the fact that China’s development of national energy, transport, and key industries requires, first, a large number of qualified specialists familiar with national specificities. Secondly, it is necessary to create a unified integration space through the mutual enrichment of cultures.

"This area is developing actively. Seven Confucius Institutes in Central Asian countries have trained over 200,000 students. Representatives of Central Asian states support China's initiatives, referring to bilateral agreements concluded at the highest level. Successful projects were highlighted, including the establishment of university branches and laboratories, grant support from the Chinese government, Luban workshops, and academic exchanges. From the podium, the idea of common integration was voiced, along with proposals for a shared future for China and Central Asia," explained Sergei Bocharov.

The second agenda was addressed during an event dedicated to Russian-Chinese cooperation in education in 2026-2027. During the thematic day, Russian and Chinese universities presented their achievements in teaching Russian and Chinese, the outcomes of joint educational programs, and academic exchanges. Altai State University had much to showcase.

"Our university is home to more than 500 students from China, while joint research projects are underway in the fields of specially protected natural areas and the archaeology of the Greater Altai region. Young researchers from China successfully defend their dissertations under the supervision of Altai State University scholars. Chinese-language training for Russian students and Russian-language training for Chinese students are being conducted successfully.  Academic exchanges and internships are also continuing to develop. It is clear that integration processes in a multipolar world are advancing in different directions. At the same time, educational cooperation is developing between Russia and the Central Asian states, Russia and China, and China and the Central Asian states. Altai State University occupies a worthy place in this cooperation."