On April 25, 2025, the “China–Russia Young Scholars Forum Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War” was successfully held in Moscow. The forum was jointly organized by the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Northeast China and Northeast Asian Studies of Jilin University, the Northeast Asian Studies Institute of Jilin University, the Northeast Asian Research Center of Jilin University, and the Institute of Social Sciences of Jilin University. The theme of the forum was “Promoting a Correct View of History and Safeguarding International Justice.” More than 50 renowned experts and scholars from China and Russia gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on major topics such as jointly safeguarding the victory of World War II , promoting the great spirit of the War of Resistance, and advancing the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. Professor Han Xiping, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Jilin University Committee; Professor Kirill Babaev, Director of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Galina Kulikova, First Vice President of the Russia–China Friendship Association and recipient of the Friendship Medal of the People’s Republic of China, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.
The forum received high attention and strong support from the foreign ministries of both China and Russia. Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation, and Andrey Rudenko, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, respectively sent congratulatory letters to the forum. Zhao Wei, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Russian Federation, and Alexander Kozlov, Special Envoy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, attended the opening ceremony and read out the congratulatory letters. In his letter, Ambassador Zhang Hanhui stated that the peoples of China and Russia fought side by side and shared life and death in the anti-fascist war, making indelible contributions to the cause of world peace. The profound friendship forged in blood during the anti-fascist war has grown ever stronger over time and has become a spiritual bond passed down through generations. In his letter, Andrey Rudenko stated that the wartime camaraderie and tradition of mutual support laid a solid foundation for contemporary Russia–China relations.
In his speech, Han Xiping noted that the China–Russia Young Scholars Forum is an important international dialogue and academic exchange platform jointly established by Jilin University and the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War, holding the second forum under the theme “Promoting a Correct View of History and Safeguarding International Justice” is of great significance. Renowned experts and young scholars from both countries reviewed history and discussed about China–Russia cooperation, contributing to the development of the China–Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.
In his speech, Babaev stated that commemorating the great victory of World War II is of great significance for examining current global developments and safeguarding international justice. Faced with intense geopolitical conflicts and competition, China and Russia should remember historical lessons and shoulder important responsibilities in maintaining world peace and development. He especially hoped that young scholars would take this forum as an opportunity to strengthen exchanges and further advance China–Russia cooperation to a higher level.
In her speech, Galina Kulikova stated that the forum is of great significance for strengthening exchanges between young scholars of China and Russia. It will help Russia and other countries gain a deeper understanding of China and promote close cooperation between China and Russia in addressing major global and regional issues.
More than 30 young scholars from universities and research institutions including Jilin University, the Russian Academy of Sciences, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow State Institute of International Relations, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Fudan University, and the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies delivered presentations and engaged in lively discussions on two themes: “Historical Experience and Contemporary Issues in Safeguarding the Victories of World War II” and “China’s and Russia’s Contributions to Safeguarding the Post-War World Order.” They reached broad consensus on issues such as preserving the achievements of the World Anti-Fascist War and jointly upholding the international order.
This conference was the second China–Russia Young Scholars Forum jointly organized by Jilin University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. Its successful convening not only deepened exchanges between Chinese and Russian scholars in areas such as historical understanding, China–Russia relations, and the evolution of the international order, but also provided important intellectual support for jointly safeguarding international fairness and justice and promoting the building of a new type of international relations.
