Russia's first "Laboratory for the Study of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Ideas" begins its work

Russia's first "Laboratory for the Study of Chinese President Xi Jinping's Ideas" has been launched at the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCA RAS), as reported by Xinhua News Agency, a partner of TV BRICS.

It is noted that this is the first research centre outside China which specialises in the study of China's modern ideology. It is based on socialism with a local twist.

Kirill Babaev, director of ICCA RAS, spoke about the importance of creating such a laboratory. He noted that, at present, the ideas of the current Chinese leader determine the country's policy on many fronts. The representative of the institute also mentioned that this is a policy that will last not one year or two, but much longer.

"Accordingly, it will determine China's activities for a long period of time," said Babaev.

The laboratory will involve not only staff from ICCA RAS, but also the best experts on China's modern ideology from other Russian research centres. Research will focus on Xi's ideas in the areas of economics, foreign and domestic policy, as well as social policy, culture, art and ecology.

According to the director of ICCA RAS, the new laboratory is tasked with establishing contacts with Chinese research centres. Another mission is to hold several joint conferences and roundtables.

Babaev mentioned that after two years of work, a large scientific monograph will be published in 2025. It will acquaint Russian readers with Xi Jinping's ideas and their significance for the development of the Middle Kingdom and bilateral ties with Russia.

The director of ICCA RAS stressed that today China is Russia's main strategic and economic partner, therefore the Russian authorities need to know the ideological basis of today's China's development.

President Xi Jinping marked his 70th birthday on 15 June. The politician has been leading the country for a decade. Among the leader's successes as chairman are the strengthening of Beijing's position on the world stage, economic growth and improving the well-being of the people. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed in a congratulatory telegram that Xi's re-election as China's chairman this year confirms his high political authority.

2023 marks 74 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the PRC and the Russian Federation.

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