The 4th China-Russia Transport University Rectors Forum was held in Xi'an, Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, on Dec 15.

Organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and Chang'an University, this year’s event focused on ties in transportation infrastructure construction and higher education, to respond to the Belt and Road Initiative and deepen cooperation among BRICS countries.

Representatives from the universities in China, Russia, Brazil and other countries as well as enterprise representatives attended the opening ceremony.

Chen Feng, president of Chang'an University, read a declaration calling on universities in China and Russia to respect and learn from each other, further cooperation in talent training, scientific research, social service and cultural inheritance. He also announced the establishment of an international technology transfer center to promote joint work in technological innovation.

Song Jingwu, vice-president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said that since first being held in St. Petersburg, Russia in 2014, the China-Russia Transport University Rectors Forum has established a platform for cooperation by setting up a Sino-Russian Transportation University Alliance.

Productive exchanges have been made between the two countries in education and scientific research in the past three years thanks to the attention and support from China's government and its counterparts, Song added.

Alexander Y. Panychev, president of the St. Petersburg State Transport University warmly welcomed the participants, saying that cooperation between the two countries has a strong momentum, and that the Russian side is willing to make joint efforts with the Chinese side to tackle issues and welcome more members.