Russian language abroad: the VI conference of Russian compatriots living in China held in the city of Urumqi

The sixth conference of Russian compatriots, living in China was held on June 19 in the city of Urumqi (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, PRC). The event was devoted to the discussion of the role of public communities of the Russian-speaking Diaspora in strengthening the friendship between peoples of Russia and China. The conference is organized by the Coordination Council of compatriots in China and the “Russian club in Urumqi” under the support of Rossotrudnichestvo (The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation).

In the course of the forum participants exchanged views on further development prospects of the development of “Russian clubs” and the Coordination Council of compatriots in China, as well as opportunities for cooperation with Russian and Chinese authorities and non-governmental organizations.

According to official data, in China there are about 10 thousand citizens of Russia and about 18 thousand descendants of Russian immigrants who are citizens of the PRC. The Russian-speaking community in China unites not only citizens of Russia, but also republics of the former Soviet Union. Since 2007 conferences of compatriots are held regularly in the PRC and have a thematic character. Another event of the kind will be held in a year in Hong Kong.