I. Metshin met with the delegation of the People's Republic of China

(KZN.RU, 6 September, Anton Nozdrin). Kazan and the Chinese city Harbin could cooperate in different directions on a mutually beneficial and respectful way to the benefit of the urban population. Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, expressed this opinion today during a meeting with Mr. Sung Sibin’, the Mayor of People's Government of Harbin. The meeting took place during the visit of the Chinese delegation to the capital of Tatarstan.

“We attach great importance to enhancing our relations to strengthen the friendship and cooperation”, said I. Metshin. The Mayor of Kazan said that the cooperation between the capital of Tatarstan and cities the People's Republic of China is based mainly on the basis of an agreement on the establishment of brother-cities. “We are able to interact in different directions and today we can discuss the establishment of fraternal relations with your city”, the Mayor addressed to the head of the Chinese delegation. Ilsur Metshin said that Tatarstan is often visited by tourists from China, and the opening of direct flights between Kazan and Harbin could increase the tourist traffic. “There is a prospect for cooperation for our cities”, said the Mayor of Kazan.

Sung Sibin’ marked that the good relations period between Russia and China is set. “The heads of our states had several meetings, during which a number of important documents were signed. This is a solid foundation for the development of relations between China and the regions of Russia”, said S. Sibin’. Also the head of the Chinese delegation said that the Harbin is the central partner for cooperation with Russia. “Harbin is a real bridge from China to Russia”, said Sung Sibin”. The Mayor of the Chinese city also said that the capital of Tatarstan has made a huge impression on the members of the delegation. “We want to establish a genuine, friendly relationship with your beautiful city and develop constructive cooperation together with you”, concluded S. Sibin’.

“Our tomorrow is making of the as much as possible strong bridge of friendship and cooperation between our cities”, said Ilsur Metshin, and then proposed to put the establishment of relationships into practice. “I am confident that we will develop our cooperation in all areas for mutual benefit, a respectful basis for the benefit of our cities, of our people”, concluded the Mayor of Kazan.

Rustam Nigmatullin, first deputy head of the municipal formation of Kazan, Damir Fattakhov, the first deputy head of the Kazan Executive Committee, Ivan Kuznetsov, the deputy head of the Executive Committee on the city's economic development, Daria Sannikova, the chairman of the Kazan Tourism Promotion Committee, Marcel Gilyazov, the trade and economics representative of Tatarstan in China, also participated in the meeting.

Van Teli, the chairman of the Committee on Development and Reform of Harbin, Gao Heymin, the head of the Department for Foreign Affairs of Harbin, Li Zhijia, the head of the Department of Science and Technology, Ma Zheng, the head of the Department on Water Affairs, Gao Iemin, the head of the Europe and Asia Department of Foreign Affairs Management of Harbin, Ji Yujie, the deputy chief of the Russian control of the foreign Affairs of Harbin, attended the meeting from the People's government of Harbin.

Earlier, Rustam Minnikhanov, the President of Tatarstan, met with the Chinese delegation. He noted that Tatarstan cherishes the current high level of relations with China and attaches great importance to the expansion of comprehensive ties, aimed at strengthening friendship and cooperation between Russia and China. Sung Sibin’ said that cooperation with Tatarstan is of great interest to Harbin.