The China (Shanxi) - Russia Industrial and Supply Chain Cooperation Matchmaking Conference took place in Taiyuan on June 16, focusing on deepening the integration of industrial and supply chains between the two regions and aiming to inject strong momentum into Sino-Russian economic and trade cooperation.

Representatives from the Shanxi Investment Promotion Bureau presented the province's investment environment and industrial opportunities; delegates from Russia's Republic of Tatarstan and the Republic of Bashkortostan gave presentations; and 11 Chinese and Russian companies conducted impressive roadshows.

A B2B meeting area was also set up, where key enterprises from Shanxi and attending business representatives engaged in discussions on industrial cooperation, yielding significant outcomes.

Trade and investment cooperation between Shanxi and Russia has grown increasingly close in recent years, with Shanxi's newly signed project contracts in Russia totaling $200 million. From January to April this year, trade volume was 1.6 billion yuan ($236.81 million), a 217 percent increase year-on-year.

Ma Chi, deputy director-general of the Eurasian Affairs Department of the Ministry of Commerce, has noted at the event that regional cooperation is becoming a new driver for China-Russia economic and trade relations. This conference is a vivid example of how Central China's provinces, such as Shanxi, are integrating into the broader Sino-Russian economic and trade landscape. 

He also expressed hope that enterprises from both sides would use this opportunity to open channels of communication and build bridges of cooperation.