This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and on October 17, the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation commenced in Beijing. Russia, spanning the Eurasian continent, was one of the first countries to collaborate with China in constructing the Belt and Road. Over the past decade, China-Russia trade volume reached $190.27 billion in 2022, a remarkable 116% increase from ten years ago. China has been Russia's largest trading partner for 13 consecutive years, and Russia has become China's primary source of energy imports. China's investments in Russia continue to expand, with over $10 billion invested and the establishment of more than 1,000 production enterprises.

In an exclusive interview with Yangcheng Evening News on the 17th, Alexandr Chernousov, the Consul General of the Russian Federation in Guangzhou, revealed that the bilateral trade between China and Russia this year is expected to surpass $200 billion. Guangdong's trade with Russia accounts for 8% of the total trade between the two countries, indicating significant potential for cooperation. In the first half of this year, Guangdong's bilateral trade with Russia grew by over 50% compared to the previous year, reaching 67.2 billion yuan.

On Impressions of Guangdong: Fascinating Region with Enchanting Lingnan Culture

Yangcheng Evening News: What led you to work in China? Which places in Guangdong have captivated you?

Chernousov: My entire career, including my university major, has been related to China. For a long time, I worked in cities in northern China. In 2021, the Russian government assigned me to Guangzhou. To be honest, I am very grateful for this opportunity. Guangdong is an incredibly fascinating region.

As we all know, China has become the world's second-largest economy through more than 40 years of reform and opening up. Guangdong, as the pioneer of China's reform and opening up, is actively promoting the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, which will undoubtedly make substantial contributions to China's economic growth. Moreover, Guangdong's Lingnan culture adds charm to the region. These aspects make my work here very interesting.

On City Exchanges: Guangdong's Close Ties with Various Regions in Russian

Yangcheng Evening News: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative, and China is hosting the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation. Guangdong Province, particularly cities like Guangzhou and Shenzhen, has established sister province/city relationships with numerous regions and cities in Russia. Could you please elaborate on the economic, trade, cultural, and other exchanges and cooperation between Guangdong and Russia?

Chernousov: The Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation commenced in Beijing on the 17th. Russian Federation President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is among the distinguished guests. On this occasion, I would like to extend my best wishes to China for the successful hosting of this significant international event.

Ten years ago, President Xi Jinping proposed the Belt and Road Initiative, which aligns with the efforts of Russia and its partners in promoting the Eurasian Economic Union. In March of this year, after the meeting between Putin and Xi Jinping in March this year, they issued a joint statement between the two countries on Deepening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership of Coordination for the New Era. Both sides expressed support for advancing integration processes within the framework of these projects. Russia is particularly interested in establishing new bilateral and multilateral logistics routes.

To my knowledge, a Sino-Russian summit will take place during the Forum, where the two heads of state will discuss the actual agenda of bilateral ties, including cooperation in culture, education, sports, and other fields. It's very important for the development of the relationship on the regional level.

Guangdong has established close ties with various regions of Russia. Sister relations have been established between Guangdong and Russia's Central Federal District, Moscow Oblast, Krasnoyarsk Krai, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk Krai, Amur Oblast, and Yaroslavl Oblast. Guangzhou has established a sister-city relationship with Yekaterinburg Oblast and Kazan City. Following the gradual resumption of exchanges between delegations from the two countries' regions after the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Ilsur Metshin, the mayor of Kazan City, recently visited Guangzhou. In August, a delegation from Guangzhou participated in the celebration of Yekaterinburg's 300th anniversary and subsequently visited Kazan.

In late October, Viktor Sadovnichiy, Academician and Rector of Moscow State University, along with representatives from Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Far Eastern Federal University, and Kazan Federal University, will visit Guangzhou. It is our hope that this visit will further deepen the exchanges between students from the two countries. Guangdong is not only an economic center in southern China but also a cultural hub. Performances by Ballets Russes and Russian musical groups have been highly popular in local theaters. This year, the Guangzhou Opera House hosted the Moscow Cossack Choir, the Saint-Petersburg State Ballet on Ice, the Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra, and other renowned Russian artists.

On Bilateral Trade: Steady Increase in China-Russia Trade

Yangcheng Evening News: In 2022, Guangdong's import and export trade volume with Russia exceeded 100 billion yuan for the first time. In the first half of this year, Guangdong's economic and trade cooperation with Russia also demonstrated robust growth. Could you please discuss the prospects of Guangdong's economic and trade cooperation with Russia?

Chernousov: In recent years, the volume of China-Russia trade has consistently grown. Last year, the trade volume between our two countries exceeded 190 billion U.S. dollars. In the first eight months of this year, bilateral trade volume increased by another 32%, reaching 155 billion U.S. dollars. It is foreseeable that the target set by the leaders of both countries to achieve a trade volume of 200 billion U.S. dollars in China-Russia trade by 2024 is attainable.

Guangdong has made a significant contribution to this goal. In the first half of this year, Guangdong's trade volume with Russia increased by over 50% compared to the previous year, reaching 67.2 billion yuan (9.7 billion U.S. dollars). I firmly believe that Guangdong has tremendous potential to further expand bilateral trade.

In March of this year, President Xi Jinping was invited to make a state visit to Russia. During the visit, the two leaders signed a joint statement on the Pre-2030 Development Plan on Priorities in China-Russia Economic Cooperation in Moscow. The main objective of this joint statement is to promote the quality development of economic and trade cooperation between our countries. I am confident that the measures taken by both sides to implement the provisions of this joint statement will significantly boost trade volume between Guangdong and Russia.

On Energy Cooperation: Hydrogen Energy Expected to Become a New Area of Focus for Cooperation

Yangcheng Evening News: Guangdong is a province with high energy consumption, and Russia is one of China's major sources of oil and gas energy. China is committed to achieving carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, and Guangdong Province has been actively promoting the development and utilization of green energy and increasing the use of natural gas. Could you provide an overview of the energy cooperation between Guangdong and Russia?

Chernousov: The energy cooperation between Russia and China is strategically significant and mutually beneficial. The various projects that have been implemented or are currently underway as part of the China-Russia energy cooperation framework will greatly contribute to China's goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. These projects encompass the supply of pipeline natural gas to China through the "Siberian Power" pipeline, the construction of a new natural gas pipeline along the Far East route, and the establishment of Russian-designed nuclear power units in China.

Geographically, Guangdong is quite distant from Russia, which does pose some challenges to bilateral energy cooperation. However, the liquefied natural gas projects undertaken by Russia's NOVATEK in collaboration with Chinese partners, such as the Arctic LNG-2 Project, provide new opportunities for Guangdong to utilize Russian energy resources. Additionally, hydrogen energy, which holds great potential, is also expected to emerge as a new area of cooperation between the two countries.

 Interesting Tidbit ：
Chernousov´s Craving for Deqing "Tribute Tangerines"
As well as "White-cut Chicken" and "Double-skin Milk"

I have a keen interest in learning about the lifestyle in Guangdong. The nights here are vibrant and lively, with Huacheng Square in Guangzhou serving as a prime example. I am particularly fascinated by the way local residents, especially the younger generation, spend their weekends and holidays.

One memorable experience I had was when I accompanied other consulate staff on a visit to Deqing, where we participated in the harvest of "Tribute Tangerines" (Gonggan). They were absolutely delicious, and I hope that they can be made available in the Russian market in the future.

After having worked in China for many years, I have grown accustomed to Chinese cuisine. Cantonese cuisine, in particular, has captured my heart with its non-spicy flavors and abundance of seafood. Coming from a coastal region in Russia, I have always had a great love for seafood. While it's difficult for me to pick a favorite Cantonese dish at the moment, among the delicacies I have tried, I especially enjoy white-cut chicken, crab roe tofu, and double-skin milk.

独家专访｜俄罗斯驻广州总领事：广东与俄罗斯合作潜力巨大

今年是共建“一带一路”倡议提出十周年，10月17-18日，第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛在北京举行。俄罗斯地跨欧亚大陆，是最早与中国合作共建“一带一路”的国家之一。共建“一带一路”10年来，中俄两国贸易额2022年达到1902.7亿美元，比10年前增长了116%，中国已连续13年稳居俄罗斯第一大贸易伙伴国，俄罗斯成为中国最大能源进口来源国。中国对俄罗斯投资规模不断扩大，投资领域不断增加，对俄投资存量超过100亿美元，设立生产企业1000多家。

17日，羊城晚报记者专访了俄罗斯驻广州总领事切尔诺乌索夫·亚历山大（以下简称“切尔诺乌索夫”）。切尔诺乌索夫表示，今年俄中双边贸易额将超过2000亿美元。其中，广东与俄罗斯的贸易占俄中贸易总额的8%。广东与俄罗斯合作潜力巨大，今年上半年广东与俄罗斯双边贸易额同比增长50%以上，达672亿元人民币。

谈广东印象：广东很有趣，岭南文化有韵味

羊城晚报：是怎样的机会让您到中国工作？广东哪些地方吸引了您？

切尔诺乌索夫：我的整个职业生涯，包括我在大学修读的专业都与中国有关。此前很长一段时间，我的工作履历与中国北方城市有关。2021年，我被俄罗斯政府派来广州，说实话我对此不胜感激，这个地区（广东）非常有趣。

众所周知，中国改革开放40多年来，已经发展成为世界第二大经济体。广东是中国改革开放的排头兵，如今正在大力推进粤港澳大湾区建设，这必将为中国的经济发展作出更大贡献。此外，岭南文化也赋予了广东更多韵味。这些都让我觉得在这里工作特别有趣。

谈城市交往：广东与俄罗斯各地区联系紧密

羊城晚报：今年是共建“一带一路”倡议提出10周年，中国正在举办“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛。广东省以及广州、深圳等城市与俄罗斯多个地区及城市结成友好省州、友好城市关系。请您介绍一下，广东与俄罗斯在经贸、文化等方面的交流合作情况。

切尔诺乌索夫：第三届“一带一路”国际合作高峰论坛（以下简称“高峰论坛”）17日在北京开幕。俄罗斯联邦总统弗拉基米尔·弗拉基米罗维奇·普京是贵宾之一。借此机会，我祝愿中国成功举办这一重大国际活动。

习近平主席10年前提出共建“一带一路”倡议，这与俄罗斯和合作伙伴们共同推动的欧亚经济联盟相得益彰。今年3月，普京和习近平会晤后通过两国《关于深化新时代全面战略协作伙伴关系的联合声明》，强调两国支持在上述项目框架内推动一体化进程。俄罗斯尤其有兴趣建立新的双边和多边物流路线。

据我所知，高峰论坛期间将举行中俄峰会，两国元首将在文化、教育、体育等领域探讨协作。

广东与俄罗斯各地区联系紧密。广东与俄罗斯中部联邦区、莫斯科州、克拉斯诺亚尔斯克边疆区、圣彼得堡、哈巴罗夫斯克边疆区、阿穆尔州、雅罗斯拉夫尔州建立了友好关系，广州与叶卡捷琳堡州、喀山市建立了友好关系。新冠疫情之后，两国地区间代表团的交流逐步恢复。不久前，喀山市长梅特申先生访问了广州。8月，广州代表团在叶卡捷琳堡参加建城300周年庆祝活动，随后访问喀山。

10月底，俄罗斯莫斯科国立罗蒙诺索夫大学校长萨多夫尼奇院士及莫斯科国际关系学院、远东联邦大学和喀山联邦大学的代表将访问广州。我们希望这次访问能进一步深化两国学生之间的交流。广东不仅是中国南方的经济中心，也是文化中心。俄罗斯芭蕾舞团和音乐团体的表演在当地剧院非常受欢迎。今年，莫斯科哥萨克合唱团、圣彼得堡国家冰上芭蕾舞团、柴可夫斯基交响乐团等在广州大剧院演出。

谈双边贸易：中俄贸易额近年稳步增长

羊城晚报：2022年，广东与俄罗斯进出口贸易额首次突破1000亿元人民币，今年上半年，广东与俄罗斯经贸合作的增长势头也很猛。请您谈谈广东与俄罗斯在经贸合作方面的前景。

切尔诺乌索夫：近年来，俄中贸易额稳步增长。去年，俄中贸易额超过1900亿美元。今年前8个月，双边贸易额再增长32%，达到1550亿美元。可以预测，两国领导人所提出的“到2024年俄中贸易额达到2000亿美元”的目标应该能够实现。

在实现这一目标的过程中，广东作出了巨大贡献。今年上半年，广东与俄罗斯的贸易额同比增长50%以上，达672亿人民币（97亿美元）。我相信在进一步扩大双边贸易方面，广东具有巨大的潜力。

今年3月，习近平主席应邀对俄罗斯进行国事访问。在莫斯科，两国领导人共同签署了《关于2030年前中俄经济合作重点方向发展规划的联合声明》。该联合声明的主要目的，是推动两国经济和贸易合作高质量发展。我相信，双方采取落实该联合声明规定的措施，将使贸易额大幅增加。

谈能源合作：氢能有望成为合作新重点

羊城晚报：广东是能源消耗大省，俄罗斯是中国最大的油气能源来源国之一。中国正致力于实现“双碳”目标，广东一直在推进绿色能源的开发利用，提高天然气的使用比例。请您介绍一下广东与俄罗斯在能源合作方面的情况。

切尔诺乌索夫：俄罗斯和中国在能源领域的合作是战略性的互利合作。中俄能源合作框架内已经实施或者正在实施的项目，有助于中国实现设定的“争取2060年前实现碳中和”目标。这些项目包括利用“西伯利亚力量”天然气管道向中国供应管道天然气，沿远东路线建设一条新的天然气管道，以及在中国建设的俄罗斯设计的核电机组。

广东与俄罗斯地理距离较远，对双方能源合作有一定影响。但俄罗斯的NOVATEK（诺瓦泰克）公司与中国合作伙伴共同开展的液化天然气项目，如“俄罗斯北极液化天然气二号项目”等，为广东利用俄罗斯能源提供了更多机会。此外，氢能这个潜力领域也有望成为双方合作新重点。

画外音：
切尔诺乌索夫难忘德庆贡柑，喜欢白切鸡双皮奶

我有很大的兴趣了解广东生活，这里的夜晚特别热闹，广州花城广场就是一个很好的例子。我也喜欢当地人，尤其是年轻人过周末、度假的方式。

比较难忘的经历，是有一次和其他总领馆人员一起参观德庆并参加贡柑的采收。贡柑特别美味，希望在未来也能供应到俄罗斯市场。

在中国工作多年，我已经习惯了中国菜。我很喜欢粤菜，不辣，海鲜也很多。我在俄罗斯时就住在海边，所以我一直爱吃海鲜。虽然目前我很难说最喜欢什么粤菜，但在尝过的美食中，我尤其喜欢白切鸡、蟹黄豆腐和双皮奶。

文 | 记者 赵鹏 付怡 蒋铮 实习生 温颖
译 | 陈书君
图 | 记者 宋金峪