A delegation from the Murmansk Region participated in the 10th Russian-Chinese Expo in Harbin. The second day's business program began at Harbin Engineering University, a leading center in China for polar research and low-temperature technologies with extensive experience working on Arctic projects. Deputy Governor of the region Svetlana Panfilova met with the university's vice-rector and faculty to discuss opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the context of the 2026-2027 Russian-Chinese cross-years of cooperation in education.
The key event of the day was talks with Mr. Zhang Qixian, Vice Governor of Heilongjiang Province, whose capital is Harbin. This was the first meeting with the leadership of the province, whose capital has been a sister city of Murmansk for 10 years. During the dialogue, the parties discussed areas of mutual interest, including trade and economic cooperation. China is particularly interested in the possibility of exporting fish and crab, scientific collaboration in the Arctic, developing tourism, and establishing humanitarian ties and exchanges.
Svetlana Panfilova also took part in a presentation of the Murmansk Region's investment potential, speaking to business representatives and government officials from Heilongjiang Province.
"We are developing new logistics through the NSR and connecting three countries: Russia, Belarus, and China. Today, China is the Murmansk Region's main foreign trade partner. Trade with this country accounts for 41% of the region's foreign trade turnover. It's worth noting that export revenues facilitate the more intensive development of companies, creating opportunities to invest in production and exporting more goods, which translates into increased production, the creation of new jobs, and, of course, increased contributions to the regional budget from both income and jobs, in terms of personal income tax. "This means an opportunity to finance social facilities, improvements, and invest in the comfortable lives of our northerners," the Vice Governor said.
At the end of the day, Svetlana Panfilova met with the leadership of the Heilongjiang Transport and Investment Group, discussing logistics and export projects. Also during the visit, Olga Obukhova, Minister of Culture of the Murmansk Region, met with the leadership of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism.
"The Murmansk Region delegation arrived with the slogan of the people's program 'Live in the North!' and during our two-day stay in Harbin, we received a full response from the Chinese side. Harbin is in northern China, where the Snow and Ice Festival takes place. Therefore, 'Live in the North!' is also relevant to them; they also consider themselves northerners. Overall, the Chinese side gave the delegation a very warm welcome, which once again underscores that we have a strong foundation for further joint projects," Svetlana Panfilova concluded.
/Ministry of Arctic Development and Economy of the Murmansk Region/
Photo: Press Service of the Russian-Chinese EXPO
