Tatyana Golikova chaired the 22nd meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation

The event was held via videoconference.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Sun Chunlan co-chaired the 22^nd meeting of the Russian-Chinese Commission for Humanitarian Cooperation.

The participants exchanged views on the current state and development prospects in all spheres of humanitarian cooperation. A number of coordinated decisions were adopted following the meeting and formalised in a protocol, which is to be signed during the next regular meeting of Russian and Chinese heads of government on 30 November 2021.

"Russian-Chinese humanitarian cooperation continued to develop steadily in the period since the 21^st meeting of the commission despite a very complicated global situation. Participants in humanitarian cooperation maintained contacts and implemented joint projects and events, which remained substantive despite being held online, and attracted the attention of the public in our countries," Tatyana Golikova said in her welcome address.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted the importance of the continued development of Russian-Chinese cooperative efforts against infectious diseases and the exchange of information about the prospects and achievements in the creation of COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic. Tatyana Golikova proposed building up international collaboration to exchange information about the new SARS-CoV-2 strains and emphasised the priority goals of the joint training of skilled medical personnel and implementation of research and educational projects.

The main drivers of cultural cooperation in 2021 were large-scale cultural events, such as the Russian-Chinese Culture and Art Fair and the exchange festival of Russian and Chinese culture.

"A rich experience of interaction and a substantial history of successful cultural projects have helped us to maintain an active dialogue in the new conditions caused by the pandemic and closed borders," Tatyana Golikova pointed out.

The co-chairs expressed their appreciation for the concerts organised by the Bolshoi Theatre of Russia and the National Grand Theatre of China to mark the 20^th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighbourliness, Friendship and Cooperation between Russia and China. It was the first time that joint concerts were held via satellites, which allowed tens of millions of people to admire the remarkable performances of the two countries' best musicians.