Interview: Russia's Kaliningrad ready to deepen cooperation with Chinese partners, says governor

People sit on a bench in front of the King's Gate in Kaliningrad, capital of Kaliningrad Oblast in Russia, May 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Tang Tiefu)

Alexei Besprozvannykh, governor of Russia's Kaliningrad region, said Russia-China cooperation has developed rapidly across various sectors in recent years, marked by growing bilateral trade, deepening technological exchanges, and strengthening investment ties, adding that this positive trend is especially evident in the region.

KALININGRAD, Russia, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Kaliningrad region is willing to deepen comprehensive cooperation with Chinese partners and contribute more to the long-term development of Russia-China relations, Governor Alexei Besprozvannykh said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, Besprozvannykh said Russian President Vladimir Putin's recent successful visit to China further advanced bilateral ties.

In recent years, Russia-China cooperation has developed rapidly across various sectors, marked by growing bilateral trade, deepening technological exchanges, and strengthening investment ties, he said, adding that this positive trend is especially evident in the Kaliningrad region.

Besprozvannykh said the region is marking the 80th anniversary of its founding this year and deepening cooperation with Chinese partners across a wider range of areas.

Besprozvannykh described local automaker Avtotor as a model of Russia-China industrial cooperation.

The company previously assembled vehicles for European, U.S. and South Korean brands before shifting to the production of Chinese-brand vehicles three years ago. Avtotor plans to build 12 new auto parts plants to support its operations, he said.

"We always welcome Chinese partners and will fully support them in implementing investment projects," Besprozvannykh said.

On policy support, he said the regional government provides tailored services for every investor to ensure the success of their investments in Kaliningrad.

Beyond economic and trade cooperation, the region is also actively expanding people-to-people exchanges with China in areas such as education and tourism.

Chinese and Russian athletes interact with each other during the 10th China-Russia Summer Youth Games in Kaliningrad, Russia, May 26, 2026. (Photo by Guo Feizhou/Xinhua)

Besprozvannykh said the Chinese language is becoming increasingly popular in Kaliningrad. To better serve Chinese tourists, shopping malls, restaurants and hotels across the region have added Chinese-language signs and services.

"We continue improving our service system based on practical feedback, such as optimizing multilingual restaurant menus and enhancing Chinese-language hotel services," he said.

Besprozvannykh, who has visited China several times, praised the country's rapid development.

"The Chinese people are hardworking and hospitable, and China's pace of development is astonishing," he said.

He also spoke highly of China's automobile industry, saying Chinese cars with stylish designs are widely popular not only in Russia but also around the world.

"It can be said that Chinese automobiles have become trendsetters in global car design," he added.

The 10th China-Russia Summer Youth Games are being held in the Kaliningrad region from May 24 to 31. Besprozvannykh said sports have always served as a bridge connecting people and strengthening cultural ties.

"Exchanges among young people represent exchanges among future generations," he said, adding that he believes the youth games will help take Kaliningrad's cooperation with China to a new level, thereby contributing to the long-term development of Russia-China relations.■