In today’s world, the global economy is undergoing a rapid transformation, shifting towards a multipolar model where traditional centers of influence are losing their dominance. Emerging players such as China, Russia, and the countries of the Global South are actively shaping alternative economic frameworks. This trend has become particularly evident amid geopolitical shifts that encourage nations to explore new avenues of cooperation, reducing their reliance on Western financial and economic institutions. Against this backdrop, international forums hosted by Russia, such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) and the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF), have emerged as vital platforms for dialogue. These events promote economic activities independent of global monopolies, offering businesses from various countries, including China, unique opportunities to establish direct connections, discuss investment initiatives, and build strategic partnerships—an especially relevant development as global economic relationships are being redefined.

As one of the world’s leading economies, China demonstrates a sustained interest in participating in Russian forums, driven by both economic and strategic considerations. SPIEF and EEF attract Chinese investors due to their reputation as platforms where businesses can engage in open, dynamic discussions, bypassing intermediaries and bureaucratic hurdles. These forums bring together representatives from major Chinese state-owned and private corporations, such as the State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) and the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), alongside numerous entrepreneurs from Chinese provinces eager to pursue interregional collaboration. For instance, in 2019, the Chinese delegation at SPIEF comprised around a thousand participants, including ministry officials, provincial government representatives, and private company executives. The attendance of Chinese President Xi Jinping at these forums, through visits to both SPIEF and EEF, highlights the significant attention China devotes to these platforms. Such visits not only reinforce bilateral ties but also signal China’s willingness to invest in projects within Russia, particularly in sectors prioritized by both nations.

A primary area where Chinese investors identify promising opportunities for collaboration is agriculture. The Chinese government views this sector as critical to ensuring food security, a priority growing more urgent amid global challenges like climate change, population growth, and supply chain disruptions. Russian regions, with their expansive agricultural lands and favorable conditions for food production, have become increasingly appealing to Chinese partners. Forums like EEF facilitate the signing of tangible agreements in this domain. For example, the Russian-Chinese Regional Development Investment Fund, established at EEF, supports projects in agriculture and food infrastructure. A notable success is the partnership with Chinese firms to develop soybean production in Russia’s Far East. As the world’s largest soybean consumer, China actively invests in regions like Amur Oblast, where projects for cultivating and processing this crop are underway. In 2018, an agreement signed at EEF led to the construction of a processing facility, boosting soybean exports to China and ensuring stable supplies for its domestic market.

Another example of successful cooperation lies in dairy production. Chinese investors, participating in SPIEF, have expressed interest in projects across Russian regions such as Primorsky Krai, where initiatives to establish modern dairy farms using Chinese technology and funding have been launched. These projects not only increase dairy output but also bolster China’s food security by reducing reliance on imports from other nations. Additionally, the forums provide a space to discuss the development of logistics infrastructure for exporting agricultural goods, optimizing deliveries from Russia to China. For instance, within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and its alignment with the Eurasian Economic Union—topics frequently addressed at EEF—new transport corridors are being developed to streamline the shipment of grains, meat, and other products to Chinese provinces.

Russian forums also enable Chinese businesspeople to explore the investment potential of various Russian regions. At the “ROSTKI: Russia and China” forum in Kazan, for example, Chinese investors engage in B2B meetings and tour agricultural enterprises, allowing them to assess local cooperation prospects firsthand. In 2024, this forum featured industrial visits to Tatarstan’s agricultural facilities, where Chinese companies could explore local technologies and negotiate joint ventures. Such events foster trust between parties, paving the way for long-term initiatives. Notably, Russian forums are bolstered by state programs like the “Far Eastern Hectare,” which offer additional avenues for agricultural investment. Over 29% of participants in this program use allocated land for farming purposes, drawing the interest of Chinese partners seeking reliable food sources.

The involvement of Chinese investors in Russian forums also deepens cultural and economic ties. Cultural programs, such as tea ceremonies or performances by national ensembles at SPIEF and EEF, create an atmosphere of trust and openness, essential for effective business negotiations. Moreover, these forums serve as platforms for discussing global economic trends, including the transition to a multipolar economy. Chinese business leaders and officials actively participate in plenary sessions like “Russia and China in the Global Economic Game,” where strategic partnerships and joint responses to external economic pressures are explored.

Amid global instability and the redistribution of economic power, Russian forums like SPIEF and EEF have become essential tools for building independent economic networks. They allow Chinese investors not only to find dependable partners but also to contribute to global food security—a key strategic goal for China. The achievements in agricultural collaboration facilitated by these platforms underscore their importance for both bilateral relations and the emergence of a new economic order rooted in equality and mutual benefit.