he Second Academic Symposium of the Qingdao Sino-Russian Future Agriculture Institute concluded on May 14 in Qingdao, marking a new phase in agricultural collaboration between the two countries.

Hosted by the Tobacco Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the two-day event brought together over 40 researchers and officials from both nations. Discussions centered on high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, with keynote reports focusing on functional food development, agricultural microbiology, and the selection of salt-alkali tolerant plant species.

A major highlight outcome of the symposium was the signing of new new cooperation agreements between the Tobacco Research Institute of CAAS and two Russian institutions: RUDN University and Dagestan State Agricultural University. During the event, the Institute also appointed newly recruited Russian experts as members of its Academic Committee, further strengthening its academic leadership.

During their visit, the Russian delegation toured several major research facilities, as well as the Institute’s History and Culture Exhibition Hall.These visits, along with dedicated networking sessions, enabled both sides to discuss joint research plans and future personnel exchanges in depth.

The successful convening of this symposium marks a new level of practical cooperation in agricultural science and technology between the two sides. Looking ahead, the Qingdao Sino-Russian Future Agriculture Institute will continue to focus on key areas such as functional food development, modern agricultural technologies and synthetic biology. Both sides aim to deepen collaboration in technological  breakthroughs, talent cultivation, and the commercialization of research outcomes,making greater contributions to agricultural modernization in China and Russia as well as global sustainable development.

By Sun Jingyuan （sunjingyuan@caas.cn）