Russian official Pavel Shevtsov chairs a session at the forum in Beijing on December 2, 2025. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

The Russian Cultural Center in Beijing and the Tula State Pedagogical University jointly hosted the International Forum of Alumni of Soviet and Russian Universities in Beijing on December 2 and 3. 

Pavel Shevtsov, deputy director of Russian Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, told the Global Times that the organization has traditionally held such events for the alumni of Soviet and Russian universities, with contacts and interactions between China and Russia at various levels, which is very important for building relations. 

In his address, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in China, Sergey Kramintsev, said that the Russian universities could potentially serve as a bridge that connects Russia with the countries alumni represent. 

"You might find common ground in communicating with colleagues from other countries in Russian; indeed, the Russian language connects you all," he said. 

"In this way, the Russian language and Russian education immediately link many countries together."