From 26 to 29 October 2026, a delegation from MGIMO University held a series of meetings, career guidance events and educational activities in Tianjin, Tianshan, Dalian and Changchun. The visit aimed to strengthen Russian-Chinese educational cooperation during the Cross Years of Education between Russia and China and introduce Chinese schoolchildren and university students to the educational opportunities offered by MGIMO.

On 26 October, the delegation visited Tianjin Foreign Studies University. Maria Utkina, Deputy Dean for Master’s Programmes at the School of Governance and Politics, delivered a lecture on the role of artificial intelligence in world politics. Yulia Popel, analyst at MGIMO’s International Marketing Group, took part in the opening of a travelling exhibition on Russian education and introduced students to short-term study opportunities and master’s programmes at MGIMO.
The same day, the delegation visited Tianshan Eastern School, where Maria Utkina gave a lecture to schoolchildren. Yulia Popel presented MGIMO and the International School Olympiad for Foreign Citizens, introducing students to the competition format and sample tasks through an interactive quiz.

On 28 October, the MGIMO delegation visited Dalian University of Foreign Languages (DUFL) for talks with the university’s leadership and held a presentation event at Huaxia Sun Valley School.

During a meeting with DUFL Vice President Li Chunmei and the Head of the Russian Language Centre, the parties discussed prospects for academic and research cooperation. Seven DUFL students and two faculty members are currently studying at MGIMO on exchange programmes, while seven MGIMO students are undertaking language training in Dalian.
Elizaveta Rudenko, Head of MGIMO’s International Markering, highlighted the importance of academic and research exchanges in strengthening Russian-Chinese ties. She also noted that MGIMO and DUFL would mark the 20th anniversary of their partnership in 2027. Li Chunmei reaffirmed DUFL’s interest in expanding academic exchanges and research cooperation.

The talks resulted in agreements to expand academic exchanges, organise joint student competitions and Olympiads, arrange research placements and conferences, and prepare joint publications.

Maria Utkina also delivered a lecture to DUFL students entitled «The Role of Russia and China in Building a Multipolar World». The lecture sparked lively interest, with students actively asking questions, including in Russian.

At Huaxia Sun Valley School, MGIMO representatives presented the university and the International School Olympiad for Foreign Citizens. The school’s leadership received sample Olympiad tasks for familiarisation.

On 28 October, the delegation also visited Changchun Foreign Languages School. During a meeting with the school’s leadership, headed by Ji Shaokun, Secretary of the school’s CPC Committee, the parties discussed ongoing joint projects and prospects for further cooperation.

The school was among the first educational institutions in the region to introduce Russian into its curriculum. Today, 316 students study the language there. Its alumni include ten diplomats who went on to become Chinese ambassadors, five of whom served as China’s ambassadors to Russia.

Students took part in the MGIMO International School Olympiad, with 43 senior students testing their knowledge of English, the history of international relations and geography. Olympiad winners are eligible to study at MGIMO tuition-free, opening up opportunities for talented schoolchildren to pursue an international education in Russia. The competition was held with financial support from Russian Railways (RZD).

The day’s main event was MGIMO Day, a programme of career guidance and educational activities that brought together more than 400 schoolchildren and their parents. Welcome addresses were delivered by Ji Shaokun, Secretary of the school’s CPC Committee, and V.O. Tsvetkov, Vice Consul at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Shenyang.

As part of MGIMO Day, Yulia Popel presented the university and hosted an interactive quiz on Russian-Chinese relations. Dmitry Pryzhkov, a second-year student at the School of Governance and Politics, delivered an online lecture in Chinese entitled «Russia-China Comprehensive Partnership in a New Era».

MGIMO expresses its gratitude to the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Shenyang and to the leadership and staff of the universities and schools for their assistance in organising the events and for their warm welcome. MGIMO also thanks Russian Railways for supporting the university’s efforts in China.