Russia’s ties with the Chinese special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao epitomize the multifarious nature of Sino-Russian relations, a Russian envoy said on Monday.
Speaking at the Russian Consulate General in Hong Kong during a reception to celebrate the Diplomats’ Day of the Russian Federation, Anatoly Kargapolov, consul-general of Russia for Hong Kong and Macao SARs, said Moscow places significant importance on its relations with China.
For example, bilateral trade between Russia and Hong Kong SAR reached almost $4 billion in 2024, according to Kargapolov. Many cultural programs have also been held in the city to promote mutual understanding.
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The Diplomats’ Day is a professional holiday established by a Decree of the President of the Russian Federation in 2002. The date of the holiday is linked to the earliest documented mentioning, on Feb 10, 1549, of the Ambassadorial Prikaz, the first state institution in Russian history responsible for foreign affairs.
Diplomats, business people, and scholars were invited to participate in the celebration at the Russian consulate.
The consulate also prepared an exhibition of photographs and historical documents to showcase the development of the Russian diplomatic service and the history of the establishment of the Russian consulate in Hong Kong.
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Kargapolov said that “Russian diplomacy is consistently working to secure a proper place for our country in the emerging multipolar world”.
“Today, Russia is actively developing multifaceted relations with our allies and partners in the Global South and Asia,” said Kargapolov, adding that the country is willing to develop ties with everyone who is eager to establish good relations with Russia.
Noting that this year will mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Kargapolov said huge celebrations will be held across Russia on May 9, and it is also a day to recognize senior Russian diplomats.
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Germany's unconditional surrender came into force on May 8, 1945, and it is marked as "Victory in Europe Day" by France, the United Kingdom and the United States. In Moscow, the Soviet Union's "Victory Day" falls on May 9.
