During the annual meeting of the Association of Russian and Chinese Universities (ARCU), it was decided that Baikal State University would join the Association from the Irkutsk Region.

Today 20 universities in Russia and 62 universities in China are members of the Association. Baikal State University is the only representative among the universities of the Irkutsk region.

Mikhail Kuz’min, vice-rector for international relations of BSU, spoke at the meeting in the online format. He noted that the Irkutsk region plays an important role in the development of Russian-Chinese relations. This is due to its geographical position in the system of transportation flows, historical and cultural specifics, religious and spiritual diversity, as well as the presence of unique natural sites of world significance. The region's leadership maintains friendly ties with Beijing, Shanghai, as well as Heilongjiang, Liaoning, Jilin and Hebei provinces. Most of the region's educational institutions develop international activities with PRC educational institutions. Baikal State University plays a special role in this direction.

"We are glad that one of the most active universities in Siberia in the field of development of Russian-Chinese cooperation has become a member of our association. We believe that the university's joining ARCU is an important element of strengthening cooperation between the members of the association, as well as the Russian and Chinese sides", - said the head of the ARCU Secretariat Mr. Chi Yun.

Mikhail Kuz’min pointed out that membership in the association will allow BSU to expand the list of international partners among scientific and educational organizations in China, to increase the number of joint educational programs, as well as to ensure an increase in the number of foreign students and teachers through the expansion of academic exchange.

Note: ARCU was established in September 2012 in Changchun (Jilin Province, China) in the framework of the 10th Forum of Rectors of Universities of the Far East and Siberia of Russia and North-Eastern Regions of China. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China supported the establishment of the Association. The founding university of ARCU from Russia is the Pacific State University (Khabarovsk), from China - the North-Eastern Agricultural University (Harbin).