On October 26, the 2024 National Russian Language Contest for Universities, sponsored by the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education and hosted by Heilongjiang University, opened at Volga Manor in Harbin.

Xi Ru,deputydirectorgeneral of theDepartment of International Cooperation and Exchange,Ministry of Education, delivered an online video speech. In addition, Cao Diefeng, deputy director general of Education Department of Heilongjiang Province, Liu Hong, chairman of Russian Language Sub-Committee of Advisory Committee of Foreign Language Teaching in Vocational Education, Ministry of Education, and president of Dalian University of Foreign Languages, Wang Yihai, class-Ⅱcounsel of Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League, Sergey Linnik(谢尔盖·林尼克), consul general of Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Harbin, and Chi Baoxu, secretary of the Party Committee of Heilongjiang University attended the opening ceremony and made speeches. The opening ceremony was hosted by Huang Dongjing, dean of the Institute of Russian Language of Heilongjiang University.

In her speech, Xi Ru expressed her hope that through the competition, the participants would gain a deeper understanding of Russian history and culture and become ambassadors ofSino-Russian friendly exchanges.

Cao Diefeng pointed out in his speech that the National Russian Language Contest would provide new impetus for Sino-Russian cultural and educational exchanges, and promote the continuous deepening ofSino-Russian relations in the fields of education and culture.

Liu Hong stated that Russian language educators in the new erabear theresponsibility of cultivating high-level,versatile professionals and should keep abreast of technologicaladvancements, particularly the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence to foreign language education,so as to promoteinnovation and reform in Russian language education.

Linnikstressed thatChina-Russia practical cooperationrequires more professionals proficient in Russian andhe placedhigh hopeson the competitors’ contributions to fostering friendship between the twocountries in the future.

Chi Baoxuemphasized that Heilongjiang University would take thiscontest as an opportunity to enhance in-depth cooperation with Russian universities, and contribute more wisdom and strength tothedeepeningofthe China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for new era.

The National Russian Language Contest for Colleges and Universities is one of the five institutionalized projects in thefield ofeducation of the China-Russia“Year ofRussia in China” and “Language Year” activities. It has been held for 16 consecutiveeditions.And this year’s contest features 412 students from 165 colleges and universities across the country. The semi-finals and finals willlast two days,with three groups: lower-grade students, upper-grade students, and postgraduates. A total of 60 winners will beawarded thefirst, second, and third prizes. Allmedalists willbe fully funded by theSecretariat of the China Scholarship Council tofurther their studiesor pursue degrees in Russia.