Remarks at the Annual Launch of “UPanda Cinema” and BRICS Film and Cultural Exchange Event by Andrei Denisov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on International Affairs of the Russian Federation Council
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H.E Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee Wang Gang, esteemed comrades, distinguished guests of honour, and most importantly, our young friends- the school children and senior students - I extend a warm welcome you all. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to participate in today’s event. It is truly a great pleasure for me.
Dear friends, China and Russia have embarked on a two-year programme of humanitarian exchanges - focused on cultural and educational cooperation- initiated by our leaders, President Putin and President Xi Jinping.
This humanitarian exchange is perhaps one of the most vital aspects of our collaboration, as it directly fosters connections and exchanges between our people. In recent years, particularly over the past decade, we have witnessed a steady expansion of humanitarian exchanges across various fields, including education, culture, health, media, tourism, and sports. Notably, we have been strengthening ties in the field of school education. Today, we find ourselves at Moscow High School #548 “Tsaritsyno” (Education Center 548), where everything has been thoughtfully prepared to support the fruitful and in-depth study of the Chinese language. As someone who began learning Chinese later in life, I can personally attest that it is an absolutely fascinating pursuit, one that brings lifelong benefits. In my lectures, I often remind students that even if they do not use Chinese in their future professions, learning it still serves as mental gymnastics. The benefits of this, in my opinion, are undeniable. We see this clearly here today at Moscow High School #548.
Friends, as the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, Chinese culture remains vibrant and evolving today. In China, the importance of traditional culture is deeply recognised in leadership of the ruling party and state.
For instance, the recent Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China emphasised the significance of traditional Chinese culture. Having lived in China for nearly 20 years over various periods, I can affirm that traditional Chinese culture seamlessly integrates with modern culture and art.
Chinese cinema, and more recently Chinese theatre, are gaining increasing international recognition and acclaim. I am especially proud to personally know Mo Yan, theChinese writer who was awarded theNobel Prize in Literature in 2016.
It is evident to all of us here that Russian culture,and in the broad sense, the multinational heritage of Russia’s many people, enjoysuniversal recognition and continues to thrive. In a time when traditionalcultural values are being erode in some parts of the world, it is especially crucialto preserve them.
This commitment extends not only to the cultural cooperation between Russia and China, but also to the cultural agendas of international organizationsin which both countries playpivotal roles, suchas the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)and, most notably, BRICS.
In Chinese, the abbreviation for BRICS is translated as “金砖五国”, which means “countries of golden bricks”. Indeed, our BRICS cooperation is like golden bricks - rich in content and value.
In 2024, Russia holds the BRICS Chairmanship. So far, approximately 170 events have been organized, including various cultural activities, exchanges among cultural figures, and collaborations between artists from BRICS member countries in the humanitarian sphere. In2025, the People's Republic of China will assume the BRICS presidency, and it is vital to ensure continuity in the development of the multilateral humanitarian and cultural cooperation initiated this year and continued by our Chinese colleagues. The agenda for China’s presidency is already being shaped during Russians chairmanship, and our event here at Moscow High School #548 stands as a clear testament to this collaboration. As Mr. Wang Gang mentioned, new projects are already being launched within the BRICS framework, including the Chinese theatre (ZhongguoJuchang), and a comprehensive programme of exchanges in the field of film and television is currently being developed.
This is what we refer to as visual art - it is the most direct, clear, and accessible form of expression. All BRICS member countries, along with those willing to cooperate with us and intending to join, are culturally unique, diverse, and fascinating to one another. This is why programs that strengthen our cooperation - both bilaterally between Russia and China and multilaterally within BRICS - are particularly significant.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you success in advancing cultural exchanges, as I have mentioned earlier, both bilaterally and multilaterally within BRICS and beyond.
Let me remind you that BRIC currently includes 10 member countries, and over 20 more have already applied to join—making it nearly 30countries in total. As you can see, many nations share our values, particularly in culture, human communication, humanitarian exchanges.
In conclusion, let me offer traditional Chinese wish: “May everything run smoothly for you". Thank you!
