Russian and Chinese officials sign agreement at SPIEF to ensure transparency and safety of Russian exports to China

The officials discussed support for the Russian National Pavilions programme, a comprehensive initiative that aims to promote Russian goods and brands on international markets, including China, and the need to develop a single standard for salespoints as part of this initiative. They also proposed using the trade and logistics infrastructure that was created during the implementation of the programme as a basis for other joint Russian-Chinese projects. It will serve as a foundation for the implementation of joint projects between Russian and foreign companies by facilitating interaction and expanding opportunities for small and medium businesses. Energy Export will manage the programme.

“The development of multilateral cooperation with our Chinese partners and the agreement that we signed today fully reflect the desire of our countries to strengthen mutual trust and ensure the high quality and safety of our exported products. I would like to point out that the total trade volume of agricultural and food products between China and Russia over the period from January to November 2024 amounted to USD 7.61 billion. With the current global economic challenges and growing trade turnover between our countries, the creation of transparent and effective export control systems is becoming a key factor for expanding cooperation. This will not only enhance the competitiveness of Russian goods on the Chinese market and saturate the markets with a wide range of high-quality goods, but will also open up new opportunities to diversify exports,” Kobyakov said.

In this regard, special attention at the meeting was devoted to the development of supply chain transparency and the introduction of digital solutions to track the origin and quality of products. Following the meeting, Fund RC-Investments Director Alexander Shatirov, Energy Export CEO Ilya Romanov, and Heilongjiang Transport Investment International Logistics Trade Group legal representative Ma Qingchuan signed a trilateral framework agreement on strategic cooperation. The document aims to establish a long-term partnership that will allow for the joint development and introduction of innovative solutions to improve the quality and safety of food products exported from Russia to China.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are drivers of economic growth and innovation and play an important role in strengthening international cooperation. This project aims to support SMEs by creating favourable conditions for their development and expansion into foreign markets. In addition, it helps attract new investors and suppliers, which bolsters the potential of the sector and promotes the creation of sustainable business ties between Russia and China. Joint initiatives in quality control and supply chain transparency create favourable and safe conditions for entrepreneurs by enabling them to enter new markets and strengthen their positions. We see great potential in the development of such projects, which not only contribute to increased trade turnover, but also stimulate investment activity, expand opportunities for business, and create new jobs. The Fund is ready to provide comprehensive support by pooling the efforts of regional partners, investors, and companies to implement these promising initiatives,” Shatirov said.

This cooperation includes the creation of a digital system to track the food supply chain from Russia to China, which will ensure transparency and control at all stages – from production and customs clearance to transportation and product storage. The Russian company will select reliable suppliers that meet the requirements of the Chinese market, while the Chinese corporation will provide developed transport and logistics infrastructure for the effective management of cargo transportation and warehouse operations.

“Integrated cooperation with our Chinese partners opens up new opportunities to optimize logistics, particularly given the wide range of requirements for the storage and transportation of food products and semi-finished products. Our company’s experience in implementing such projects as well as the availability of developed transport networks and modern technologies will improve the efficiency of cargo transportation and reduce the risk of delays and loss of goods. It is particularly important for us to cooperate with the warehouse base in Suifenhe, which is equipped with a smart control system and will ensure the uninterrupted storage, sorting, and distribution of products. This way, we will be able to eliminate bottlenecks in the supply chain and guarantee the stable and timely supply of Russian products to the Chinese market,” Romanov said.

For China, this is a strategically important project that could develop cross-border trade and strengthen the logistics infrastructure in the border area, particularly around Suifenhe, a key transport and warehouse hub with well-developed infrastructure and a favourable investment environment.

“Communication with Russian suppliers and the use of modern logistics technologies will ensure the effective management of cargo flows and minimize delays at border crossings. This is especially important as the two countries increase trade turnover and plan to modernize rail and road routes, which will increase the throughput and speed of cargo processing. In addition, the project creates opportunities to expand the range of imported products, including scarce and specialized goods, and also helps to develop the border economy, attract investment, and create new jobs in the region,” Qingchuan said.

Russia remains Heilongjiang Province’s largest trading partner and accounts for almost 75% of the province’s overall trade. According to data from the Harbin Customs Office, trade turnover between Heilongjiang Province and Russia increased by 11.2% to USD 32.5 billion in 2024. The parties say this partnership combines efforts at a wide range of levels – from government institutions and investment funds to direct market participants on both sides – and provides a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations as well as an effective tool to attract investment in cross-border regions.

Fund RC-Investments, the investment platform of the Roscongress Foundation, specializes in raising financing and supporting the implementation of business projects by Russian and international companies. Energy Export is a subsidiary of Fund RC-Investments, which is implementing projects to create a product traceability system in Russia with a digital retrospective chain that covers the origin, production, logistics, customs clearance, sale, storage, and transportation of goods.

Heilongjiang Transport Investment International Logistics Trade Group is a subsidiary of Heilongjiang Transportation and Investment Corporation, which includes seven third-tier subsidiaries and two subsidiaries in Russia.

The corporation serves as a cross-border logistics and trade platform for Northeast Asia in Heilongjiang Province. Its main activities are divided into four business segments: a comprehensive foreign trade service platform, logistics services, international trade, and industrial park management. The corporation has opened overseas representative offices in Moscow and the Jewish Autonomous Region to explore foreign markets and develop cross-border trade and logistics cooperation. The range of the corporation’s import and export operations covers nine main areas, including building materials, energy, and food. In 2024, total revenue exceeded CNY 3.5 billion (RMB 3.5 billion).