On March 28, 2025, CIIDS Founding Chairman Zheng Bijian met with Mr. Andrey Bystritskiy, Chairman of the Development and Support Foundation of  the Valdai International Discussion Club of Russia. The two sides exchanged views on issues of common concern, such as China-Russia relations and think tank cooperation.

Founding Chairman Zheng Bijian extended a warm welcome to Mr. Bystritskiy and his delegation for their visit to CIIDS. He noted that China-Russia relations are mature, resilient, and stable, and boast a strong internal driving force, solid public support, and unique strategic value. As an influential think tank in China and Russia respectively, CIIDS and the Valdai Discussion Club have played an active role in promoting communication and exchanges between their own country and the international community over the years, underscoring the shared aspirations and interests of the two think tanks. He expressed the hope that the two sides could strengthen cooperation in the future to help the world better understand China, Russia, and the profound changes of the century, and to promote common peaceful development across the globe.

Mr. Bystritskiy said that Russia and China enjoy a high level of political and strategic mutual trust, and that strengthening bilateral strategic cooperation is in the fundamental interests of the two peoples. The Valdai Discussion Club stands ready to enhance cooperation with CIIDS through various means such as conducting joint research, exchanges of personnel, and jointly organizing special events to understand China and Russia, with an eye to further deepening the public support for China-Russia cooperation and contributing the wisdom of the two think tanks to jointly addressing various global challenges.

Mr. Oleg Tsatsourine and Mr. Alexander Smirnov, Directors of the Valdai International Discussion Club Foundation, and CIIDS Vice Chairman and Secretary-General Mr. Wang Boyong, Vice Chairman Mr. Feng Wei, attended the meeting.