Russia and China Strengthen Trade Cooperation: Qingdao Hosts the Export to China: SCO Premium Choice Conference
On March 30, 2026, Qingdao, Shandong Province, hosted the international conference titled "Export to China: SCO Premium Choice," which focused on the development of import and export trade between the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The event was designed to enhance trade and economic cooperation among the participating nations.
The conference brought together representatives from governmental bodies, business communities, and development institutions from both China and Russia. Key participants included the leadership of Shandong Province, the Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, the administration of Qingdao City, and a delegation from the Russian Export Center.
On the Chinese side, high-ranking officials from regional and national authorities participated, including the Deputy Governor of Shandong Province, leaders of the Departments of Commerce and Finance, and representatives from the China-SCO Pilot Zone for Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation.
The primary objective of the conference was to establish sustainable channels for interaction between Russian exporters and Chinese importers, as well as to develop systematic mechanisms for promoting Russian products on the Chinese market.
During the conference, the following priority areas were discussed:
– the development of permanent business-to-business (B2B) mechanisms for interaction between companies;
– the creation of sustainable supply chains for Russian products;
– the launch of pilot projects in the agro-industrial sector, food, and consumer goods;
– the utilization of the infrastructure of the China-SCO pilot zone as a platform for scaling trade.
Evgeny Bazhov, Head of FBA EAC Representative Office in China and General Representative of the Russian Export Center in China, emphasized the need to transition from one-time events to the establishment of long-term and reproducible mechanisms for business cooperation. He highlighted issues such as information asymmetry, the instability of communication channels, and the lack of institutionalization in current cooperation frameworks.
Bazhov stated that the REC is prepared to act as a system integrator to facilitate Russian companies' entry into the Chinese market, encompassing tasks ranging from organizing business missions to establishing sustainable sales channels and local presence. Additionally, FBA EAC's activities in China provide expert and analytical support, fostering long-term business relationships between the two countries' business communities.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was recognized for its potential to deepen regional economic integration and promote multilateral trade.
Following the conference, the participating parties expressed interest in initiating pilot projects and establishing a permanent cooperation mechanism. These initiatives are expected to not only increase trade volumes but also enhance the efficiency of Russian companies' market entry strategies in China.
