Natalia Stepkina, minister-counsellor of the Russian Embassy in China and permanent representative to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretariat (center) and Tatiana Urzhumtseva, director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing (3rd from right in the front row) at the inauguration ceremony in Beijing on September 26, 2025. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

With typical classical music, the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing celebrated its 15th anniversary on September 26 since its founding in Beijing. 

The inauguration ceremony was held in a brand new space with spacious exhibition halls for contemporary painters and classical masters, fully equipped screening rooms and lecture halls, modern language classrooms, and dance studios. 

Head of Russia's Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, or Rossotrudnichestvo, Yevgeny Primakov, said in his video speech that "the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing is a reality manifestation of the friendship between Russia and China. Its opening marks an important step in consolidating the strategic partnership between the two countries."

"Over the past 15 years, the activities hosted by the center have won wide recognition and has become an indispensable part of the cultural life of the Chinese capital," Primakov said. 

In her keynote speech, Natalia Stepkina, minister-counsellor of the Russian Embassy in China and permanent representative to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretariat, said that over the years, the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing has successfully fulfilled its important mission and has become a real attraction for Chinese friends interested in Russia and Russian expatriates in China.

She also stressed that under the leadership of Tatiana Urzhumtseva, director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing, the center team has carried out continuous and meticulous work in all areas of Russian-Chinese cultural cooperation. 

"This is our first 'home' in China and also our 'alma mater.' It has become a bridge of friendship for thousands of people, a place where professional and personal relationships are established and joint projects are initiated," Director Urzhumtseva said.

Officials from Rossotrudnichestvo, the headquarter of the Russian Cultural Center, awarded the center team for their remarkable work. The two directors also awarded medals and certificates of honor to the partners of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing. 

Jia Mengqiu, secretary general of the Western Returned Scholars Association (WRSA) (Overseas-educated Scholars Association of China)'s Russian branch, is one of the awardees. 

Jia told the Global Times that the award is one of the most exciting encouragements for her. "I have been contributing my efforts in the WRSA for more than three decades, I am honored to build a friendship bridge with my peers in Russia," she said. 

Jia said that the center has fostered more Russian youth to understand the Chinese culture. From her point of view, the WRSA has established close cooperation with the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing.

"As bridges between our countries, the two institutions have jointly hosted many activities over the past 15 years, including the annual events for both the alumni and the graduates and events in science and technology exchanges," she said. 

Jia expects the two institutions play more roles in cultural exchanges among the youth. "Take cooperation among women. A consensus has been reached in education, medical care and culture. More close cooperation is expected with our peers," said Jia. 

Chinese and Russia scholars have also been cooperated over climate change through workshops and meetings, she said. 

Given the mechanism is in place, the two countries are sending over more young people to enhance the understanding, friendship and development, Jia said.