From September 29 to October 2, 2025 (local time), CIIDS Vice Chairman Feng Wei attended the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi, Russia, at the club’s invitation. On October 2, during the group meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Feng raised questions to the President around topics including Understanding China and people-to-people and cultural exchanges between China and Russia.

Excerpts from their exchange are as follows:

Vice Chairman Feng Wei:

Mr President, I am from the China Institute for Innovation and Development Strategy (CIIDS). We are the organizer of the Understanding China Conference. We are now collaborating with the Valdai Club to promote mutual Understanding between China and Russia. China and Russia’s relationship is at an all-time high, thanks to the personal efforts of Your Excellency and President Xi.

China is a big country. There are many people who need to have a better understanding of Russia. Can you say a few words to the audience of the Understanding China conference about understanding Russia? Not as a great state leader, but as a brother to your Chinese sisters and brothers.

President Vladimir Putin:

You know, I can only say to my Chinese brothers and sisters that we are on the right track. We must stay the course and cherish our relationship. Each of us, wherever we may be, whether in positions of authority, at a factory, in theatre or cinematography, in an institution of higher or secondary learning, must do our best to strengthen this interaction. It is of the utmost importance s for both the Chinese people and the Russian people. I wish to thank you for everything you have done so far, and I wish you continued success. For our part, and, am sure, President Xi Jinping, will do everything we can to support you.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Moscow, the Valdai Discussion Club is a top-tier think tank personally initiated by President Vladimir Putin, and one of Russia’s most influential platforms for international policy dialogue. Under the theme Polycentric World: Instructions for Use, this year’s Annual Meeting brought together 140 guests from 42 countries, conducting cross-border dialogue and discussions on topics such as multipolarity, regional conflicts, artificial intelligence, technological sovereignty, and global governance.