Chinese and Russian media experts and think tank scholars gathered via video link on May 26 to discuss a joint response to COVID-19, global governance in the post-pandemic era, and deepening of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

With a theme of "jointly responding to new threats, promoting economic recovery after COVID-19, and building a closer China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination," the webinar serves as a platform to pool wisdom for promoting the fight against the coronavirus and revival of the global economy.

Du Zhanyuan, president of China International Publishing Group (CIPG), said in his keynote speech that the pandemic raised alarm bells regarding the need to deepen global governance. He called for further communications and exchange among Chinese and Russian media and think tanks.

"In recent years, CIPG has developed good cooperative relations with major Russian media and think tanks. The coronavirus has caused great difficulty for face-to-face dialogue but makes us even more aware of the necessity and significance of our exchanges," Du said. "From now, we will launch online platforms of exchanges for global media and think tanks, so as to strengthen cooperation and share results in a timely way."

In the keynote speech session chaired by Gao Anming, vice president and editor-in-chief of CIPG, attendees from the two countries shared various insights.

Pavel Negoitsa, president of Russian newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta, called on the two countries to tackle the crisis together and promote mutual development in the fields of science, education, medical care and environmental protection. It was important for the media to play a positive role, rather than becoming the puppet of politicians.

Sergey Glazyev, minister in charge of Integration and Macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission, said the pandemic had led to global market volatility, but could also provide opportunities for cooperation between Russia and China.

He suggested the two countries speak out together against hegemony and unilateralism, promote trade exchanges, establish stability in Eurasian financial markets, and enhance scientific and technological cooperation.

The webinar also featured insights from experts and scholars including Zou Zhibo, deputy director of Institute of World Economics and Politics at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Sergei Sanakoyev, deputy chairman of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, Wang Xiaohui, editor-in-chief of China.org.cn; and Yu Tao, director of China Pictorial.

The event was co-sponsored by CIPG, Rossiyskaya Gazeta, the Institute of Far Eastern Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and co-organized by the China Pictorial, Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies.