From September 2nd to 5th, 2015, the 2nd China-Russia Transport University Presidents’ Forum that organized by Beijing Jiaotong University was successfully held at the Friendship Hotel, Beijing. The forum aims to implement China’s “Belt and Road” Initiatives and “Going Global” strategy of high-speed railway as well as promote exchange and cooperation between the Chinese and Russian transport universities. Chinese Premier LI Keqiang and Valentina Matvienko, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council also sent congratulatory letters to the forum.



Vice Chairman of the NPC Eligen Imibakhi attended the forum and delivered his speech.



LIU Limin, Vice Minister of Education, pointed out that the China-Russia Transport University Presidents’ Forum is the important brand of the China-Russia People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Mechanism, which provides great technical and intellectual support for the implementation of China’s “Belt and Road” Initiatives. He hoped that both sides would further deepen cooperation and exchange on higher education.



HE Huawu, Chief Engineer of China Railway Corporation and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering extended congratulations to the holding of the Forum. He said the development of the China-Russia all-round strategic partnership and the important consensuses both countries have reached on accelerating the development of transport infrastructure have provided unprecedented opportunities for both sides to strengthen cooperation on rail transit.



On behalf of Beijing Jiaotong University, Mr. CAO Guoyong, Chairman of the University Council, expressed his welcome and gratitude to all the participants. He said the Chinese Premier LI Keqiang and Chairman of the Russian Federation Council have sent the congratulatory letters to the Forum, which demonstrates the great importance the Chinese and Russian governments have attached. He hoped that both sides would enhance exchange and cooperation in wider areas to make contributions to the development of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and “Europe-Asia Economic Alliance”.



Alexander Y. Panychev, Rector of Petersburg State Transport University delivered his speech. He said the holding of the China-Russia Transport University Presidents’ Forum has provided an important direction for the cultural exchange between the two countries. He hoped that both sides would enhance educational cooperation to cultivate more young talents so as to facilitate the long-term development of the bilateral relations.

During the opening ceremony, HE Huawu and Michuk Igori Vladimirovich, Deputy Administrator of the Russian Railways gave the key-note speech respectively.



BJTU President NING Bin presided over the opening ceremony. He elaborated on the joint running of schools, scientific research and international academic exchange BJTU has carried out with Russian universities. He pointed out that the university would utilize the platforms of the China-Russia Transport University Presidents’ Association, Forum and China-Russia High-speed Railway Research Center to enhance scientific cooperation and achievements-sharing with Russian transport universities.

The forum was hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Secretary General LI Xikui attended the forum and extended congratulations. The forum also announced the congratulatory letters or greeting videos from Dmitry Fyodorovich Mezentsev, Secretary General of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Maksim Yurevich Sokolov, Minister of Transportation, Russia and YANG Chuantang, Minister of Transport of the People’s Republic of China. Evgeny Tomikhin, Minister Councilor of the Russian Embassy in China and FENG Zhenglin, Vice Minister of Transport announced the letters for them.



Presidents and representatives from the Chinese and Russian transport universities and enterprises held in-depth discussions on the higher education and transport development of both countries. Meanwhile, they offered many suggestions on the development of the China-Russia Transport University Presidents’ Association.



Advocated and promoted by Beijing Jiaotong University, the forum has announced the “Beijing Declaration”, calling on joint efforts of the Chinese and Russian transport universities, enhancing bilateral cultural exchange and strengthening collaborative innovation of science and technology. The proclamation was jointed announced by BJTU President NING Bin and PSTU Rector Alexander Y. Panychev.

YANG Zhongmin, Deputy Chief Engineer of China Railway Corporation, YU Jihai, Vice Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Education, ZHANG Xiaojie, Deputy Inspector of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges, Ministry of Transport, WANG Jiayu, Deputy Director General of the Department of General Administration, NRA and other BJTU leaders were also present at the forum.



Beijing Jiaotong University also led the Russian guests visit the Memorial Museum of Chinese People's Anti-Japanese War, BJTU Museum and experience the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity High-speed Railway.