Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, briefs media at a press conference in Beijing on June 2, 2026. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

The Moscow City Tourism Committee hosted more than 100 representatives of China's travel industry, city authorities, and business partners, to showcase the Russian capital's tourism potential, including its summer campaigns, and presented Moscow's updated promotional strategy for the Chinese market in Beijing on the sidelines of the 2026 Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit of the World Tourism Cities Federation on Tuesday.

The promotion session was aimed at helping tourism industry professionals and Chinese tourists understand Moscow's rich and unique tourism resources, further stimulating the potential for cooperation between Moscow and Beijing. Moscow tourism authorities affirmed that China remains one of Moscow's most important international tourism partners. 

Xu Zhentao, deputy director of the Beijing Bureau of Culture and Tourism, gives opening remarks at the promotion session in Beijing on June 2, 2026. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

During the session, Xu Zhentao, deputy director of the Beijing Bureau of Culture and Tourism, said in his opening remarks that Beijing and Moscow are traditional sister cities with a long history of fruitful exchanges in the fields of culture and tourism.

Xu said Russia remains the largest source of inbound tourists for Beijing. In 2025, Beijing received 504,900 tourists from Russia, and from January to April, the city received 303,700 tourists, representing a year-on-year increase of 138.5 percent, according to official data. 

"The 30-day visa-free policy between China and Russia continues to generate benefits. More and more Russians are choosing to visit Beijing. Meanwhile, Moscow, with its rich history, culture and unique urban charm, is attracting an increasing number of Chinese tourists," he elaborated. 

In recent years, under the China-Russia comprehensive strategic coordination, tourism cooperation between Beijing and Moscow has continued to deepen and become more practical, Xu added, saying that the two cities have held festivals and celebrations, sent art troupes to each other, while strengthening cultural ties and deepening friendship. 

He also shared that in the second half of the year, Beijing will also send a delegation to Russia to participate in the 3rd edition of the Theater Boulevard International Open Festival, featuring online performances, cultural and tourism exhibitions, and business matchmaking, aiming to further promote tourism cooperation between the two cities. 

In 2024, mayors of Beijing and Moscow inked a program of cooperation between the two cities for the 2024-2026 period, charting the future course for their sister-city relationship.

In February 2026, the Moscow City Tourism Committee and the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the tourism sector. Both cities vowed to step up efforts to strengthen collaboration in key areas such as tourism promotion, industry exchange, route development, and talent cultivation, to improve the regular cooperation mechanism, and upgrade the quality of tourism cooperation.

Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, briefs media at a press conference in Beijing on June 2, 2026. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

Evgeny Kozlov, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee, told the Global Times that in the first quarter of 2026, Moscow welcomed 130,000 visitors from China - a 30 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025.

At the same time, the chairman observed that the profile of Chinese travelers also undergoes changes, with a growing number of independent travelers aged 18-35 seeking authentic urban experiences beyond standardized excursions.

Kozlov said that to meet the demand, Moscow has prepared hundreds of tour guides who speak Chinese and many restaurants have provided menus in Chinese. The committee has been updating the contents with recommendations on where to go, must-see places in its social media accounts in Chinese, offering convenience for Chinese tourists in all aspects. 

He also shared that by autumn, Moscow and Beijing are planning joint exhibitions among museums. 

Moscow is working on feasibility research to expand cultural events in other cities in China as well, Kozlov said. 

Andrey Povalyaev, Minister-Counsellor Embassy of the Russian Federation, gives a speech during the promotion session in Beijing on June 2, 2026. Photo: Dong Feng/GT

Andrey Povalyaev, minister-counsellor of the Russian Embassy in China, said in his remarks that direct flights between major cities make travel to Moscow truly convenient. 

June is a special time in Moscow. The city is truly transformed: summer evenings paint the sky in soft golden hues, music echoes along the embankments, and Moscow's famous boulevards are immersed in verdant vegetation. This is the season of festivals, exhibitions, and open-air concerts, Minister-Counsellor Povalyaev said.

In summer, Moscow lives with the utmost openness, generosity, and a special passion and scope. Today, Moscow is offering rich cultural programs, superb cuisine, cutting-edge urban infrastructure, and one of the world's best public transportation systems, said Povalyaev.

He added that the capital continues to change - new museums and galleries are emerging, urban spaces and parks are being developed, and historic districts are being renovated.

"I am confident that today's meeting will give new impetus to tourism ties between our countries and capitals. Moscow is always open to Chinese guests and is ready to show itself in all its glory with genuine hospitality," Povalyaev concluded.