The Russian business mission to Qingdao is opening doors to the Arctic, which will allow companies to explore opportunities in the region. Negotiations between Russian and Chinese delegations as part of the First Seminar on the Arctic and an Investigation into China’s National Situation. Source: Ekaterina Serova

From 24 to 27 October, leading Russian experts and entrepreneurs met with local company and industry representatives in Qingdao, Shandong Province, eastern China, as part of the First Seminar on the Arctic and an Investigation into China’s National Situation. Building on the business programme of the Tianjin SCO Summit, the event aimed to create opportunities for cooperation between Shandong Province and Russia at a regional level.

The participants discussed prospects and risks related to the development of trade, economic and innovative cooperation, as well as promising cultural and tourism initiatives in the Russian Arctic. This included plans for China’s business missions to the Russian Arctic regions and municipalities in 2026.

The programme included meetings with the management of CRRC Qingdao Sifang Technology Centre, a subsidiary of CRRC Corporation Limited and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of rolling stock. The Russian delegation also visited the textile manufacturing facilities of the Jifa Group, as well as the production facility of TELD New Energy Co. Ltd, a company that specialises in developing charging networks and intelligent charging systems for electric vehicles, for both residential and commercial use.

Companies expand investment in profitable areas to develop the comprehensive transportation hub in Qingdao. The automated container terminal at Qingdao Port. Source: Ekaterina Serova

As trade ties with the US are declining, Chinese companies are seeking to diversify their trading partners and are expressing an interest in collaborating with their Russian counterparts. Zhang Yueshan, CEO of SHHG Holding Group (SHANGHE), discussed the extensive convention and exhibition activities in Central Asia, South Asia and North Africa. These activities enable Chinese businesses to gain a better understanding of these regions, as well as the expectations of local companies and governments with regard to cooperation.

China-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone. Source: Ekaterina Serova

The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is an attractive destination for Chinese technology companies offering low-carbon energy solutions, port automation, multimodal transportation and AI implementation in manufacturing.

The event was organised with the support of the Commission of the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Zone, the Shandong Province Department of Industry and Information Technology, the Shandong Province Foreign Affairs Office, and Professor Guo Peiqing of the Ocean University of China.