A meeting with a delegation of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the PRC was held at Irkutsk State University. ISU was represented by: Denis Axenov-Gribanov, Vice-Rector for Research and International Cooperation, Marina Tashlykova, Director of the Institute of Philology, Foreign Languages and Media Communication, Yulia Elokhina, Head of the International Office.

Denis Axenov-Gribanov spoke about the university in more detail: about the educational programmes, scientific projects and research conducted at the university, as well as educational and scientific cooperation with Chinese partner universities.

Marina Tashlykova shared information about the Institute of Philology, Foreign Languages and Media Communication. She talked about the fields of study in which international students are enrolled, and noted the interest of Russian students and applicants in programs that include Chinese language learning.

Shen Yang, Deputy Head of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission of the People’s Republic of China, spoke about six subordinate universities and the fields of study implemented there. He also emphasized that these universities specialize in the study of languages and cultures of small ethnic groups. The head of the delegation expressed hope for the development of youth, cultural and educational exchanges with ISU, as well as possible cooperation in areas such as linguistics, history, archaeology, physics and biology.

Wang Xuerong, Deputy Director of the Department of Education, noted the extensive experience and high level of research on Lake Baikal and spoke about similar studies of the region at the subordinate universities.

The Chinese side also included: Zhao Jing, Deputy Director of the International Department; Liu Chunxiao, Director of the Coordination Division of the Department of Coordination and Promotion; Wang Xuedi, employee of the International Department; Lu Furui, employee of the Department of Coordination and Promotion. Representatives of the Consulate General of the PRC in Irkutsk: Liu Yu, Consul General, Chen Zhaoyang, Vice-Consul, and Feng Lianghao, Director of the Bilateral Relations Division.

The Government of the Irkutsk Region was represented by: Viktor Tsishkovsky, Minister of Economic Development and Industry; Dmitry Kokourov, Deputy Minister of Education; Victoria Alexeeva, Leading Advisor of the Department of Investment Climate and External Relations of the Ministry of Economic Development and Industry.