Russia-China cooperation in focus: young researchers speak about the future of Asia-Pacific at FEFU

The annual applied research conference "Russia in the Asia-Pacific" has taken place at Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU). Over 300 young researchers presented the results of their work to FEFU Institute of Asian Studies experts. Representatives of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) and the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS) also took part in the event this year.

The conference has brought together young scholars whose research work is related to the Institute’s areas of expertise - Asian studies, philology, political science, international relations, and other social sciences. Delegates from the FEB RAS Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography and the CASS Institute of East Europe, Russia and Central Asian Studies (IEERCAS) were among the distinguished guests of the conference.

“Russia in the Asia-Pacific Conference serves as a strategic platform for fostering international academic cooperation. The attendance by a CASS delegation reflects a high level of trust between our countries in academic and scientific fields. As the academic powerhouse of the Russian Far East, FEFU has been actively expanding partnerships with Asian universities and research centres in recent years. By launching joint initiatives and sharing expertise with our Chinese peers, we deepen our ties and pave the way for sustained cooperation. Events like this open up new opportunities for students and scholars of both countries”, shared Evgeny Vlasov, FEFU Vice President for International Relations.

Anatoly Savchenko, Deputy Director for Science at the FEB RAS Institute of History, Archaeology and Ethnography, spoke at the plenary session while Chinese experts contributed to the panel discussion on the historical reasoning and internal dynamics of Sino-Russian relations and met with students and faculty of the Institute of Asian Studies.

“Far Eastern Federal University is one of the leading universities in Russia and its alumni add significant value to the economic and social development of the country. Many of them become highly-qualified specialists and work to reinforce the close bonds between China and Russia. We have been observing the continuous enhancement of the Chinese language instruction and the expanding scope of China-focused research at the Institute of Asian Studies. While sinology in Moscow universities is more fundamental, here the emphasis is placed on practical aspects, and it's a significant advantage of FEFU. Our partnership has a long history: CASS and FEFU signed their first agreement back in 2002. In 2018, after the university was restructured, we made an agreement to open cross-institutional centers for China and Russia studies, opening new dimensions for our academic partnership,” said Jin Zhe, IEERCAS CASS Deputy Director.

The conference program featured 32 thematic sections, with student presentations evaluated by faculty members from FEFU Institute of Asian Studies. The Institute’s Research and Educational Center for Applied Asian Studies contributed to the conference with a dedicated section exploring the application of AI tools in linguistic and political research. The conference concluded with recognition of the outstanding presenters, and their work will be published in this year’s proceedings.

“The conference has showcased the growing interest of young researchers in applied aspects of Asian studies, with the individual sections capturing modern research trends in our domain. Particularly valuable was the contribution of Chinese experts who shared their unique insights into Russia-China relations – an essential perspective for developing an interdisciplinary approach. The Institute of Asian Studies, placed at the core of FEFU's Eastern Vector strategy, will continue to spearhead projects that merge fundamental knowledge with real-world business problems and state policy priorities in the rapidly evolving Asia Pacific region”, said Marina Dmitrieva, Deputy Director for Science of the FEFU Institute of Asian Studies.

Far Eastern Federal University has established itself as Russia’s hub for contemporary Asian Studies and the nation's academic outpost in the Asia-Pacific. Since 2024, the FEFU Institute of Asian Studies has also been forming the backbone of the Research and Education Center for Applied Asian Studies, created as part of Russia's pivot to the East. The Center is tasked to conduct comprehensive expert and analytical study of social, political and economic prospects of partnership with Asian countries and identify new formats for economic cooperation. Another key focus of the Сenter is large-scale professional development for Asian Studies faculty members, as well as designing new courses for students of Asian Studies departments in Russia.