Closer cooperation between China and Russia paves way for the creation of a multipolar world, where "all countries are equal, respect each other, and prosper together", said political science expert Viktor Litovkin.
Litovkin, who heads the military news editorial office of the Russian news agency TASS, offered his insights on the state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a two-day state visit.
The expert also weighed in on Russian public opinion towards China, highlighting the reciprocal advantages that cooperation between the two nations has delivered for their peoples.
He said that the visit underscores Russia's deep commitment to fostering cooperation, friendship, and scientific collaboration with China.
"I'd like to underline that Russian President Vladimir Putin's first visit abroad after his inauguration was to China. This shows that Russia attaches great importance to cooperation with China, friendship with China, and interaction with China's advanced technologies, as well as Chinese scientists," said Litovkin.
Litovkin highlighted the potential for China-Russia cooperation in yielding positive outcomes across a broad spectrum of global issues.
"China and Russia are two great powers. Their cooperation can lead to many interesting discoveries in industry, economy, and culture. Given that they are culturally rich countries, they can enrich the whole world. Cooperation between our countries is an indicator that we can create a multipolar world where all countries are equal, respect each other, and prosper together," said Litovkin.
He concluded by urging increased efforts to promote mutual understanding between China and Russia.
"I have contact with Chinese people, and I have friends who work in China. They awakened me to the uniqueness of China, to the culture of this country. I have been invited to China many times and have traveled to many Chinese cities. Now there are a lot of Chinese people in our country. Russian and Chinese people can deepen exchanges with each other. And this is like the flourishing lotus flower that China loves. The beauty of this flower represents the open soul of the two nations and the beauty of these two countries. And I wish that our people would learn more about China, and that the Chinese would learn more about Russia, and this would benefit both countries," said Litovkin.
Growing China-Russia cooperation paves way for multipolar world: expert
Growing China-Russia cooperation paves way for multipolar world: expert
Known primarily for its coal production, the city of Taiyuan in Shanxi Province is undergoing a cultural transformation. As part of China's booming concert economy, Taiyuan is actively seeking to provide unforgettable experiences for music fans.
Local authorities are supporting businesses in capitalizing on the growing demand for immersive concert experiences.
Taiyuan has implemented innovative initiatives. The city offers free public transportation for concert attendees, including bus and subway rides, both during the concert period and for three days before and after the event .
Taiyuan's commitment to creating a vibrant concert atmosphere is evident throughout the city. Giant banners and posters promote upcoming events, while various support activities further enhance the experience.
At a recent concert, a CGTN correspondent witnessed the city's dedication to providing a memorable experience. Each fan was greeted with a personalized souvenir bag filled with local specialties. Additionally, a captivating drone performance delighted the audience, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event.
"We have both also been to several concerts before. But this is the first time we've enjoyed various perks. Some shops are offering free merchandise. There are shuttle buses. The concert ticket also provides free admission to other local attractions. I think it is really nice," a concertgoer said.
"I have attended several concerts in Taiyuan where I have had really great experiences," another concert fan said.
Taiyuan's thoughtful initiatives have not only delighted concertgoers but also stimulated the city's consumer activity.
"From April to September, Taiyuan hosted more than 10 concerts. We could feel the enthusiasm of the fans at each event. There was a noticeable increase in hotel bookings as well," said Ma Shuting, marketing manager of a local hotel.
The concert period has also boosted the street-stall economy. The area around the venue has been transformed into a vibrant marketplace, with hundreds of stalls offering a diverse range of goods and services, from snacks and concert merchandise to beauty treatments.
"Business is doing quite well because there are many people coming from both out of town and locally. The daily revenue is approximately between 2,000 and 3,000 yuan (about 282 to 423 U.S. dollars)," a vendor told CGTN.
To solidify its position as a leading performing arts center in Northern China, the local government has made a significant commitment to fostering the concert economy.
"All 11 government departments in Taiyuan have jointly introduced several measures to support the development of the concert economy. For concert organizers in Taiyuan that meet the criteria, subsidies ranging from 150,000 yuan to 800,000 yuan (about 21,200 to 113,000 U.S. dollars) will be provided. Additionally, the city government has also established a special task force to ensure the smooth running of large-scale concerts," said Liu Rui, deputy director of the Taiyuan Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
The concert economy holds immense potential for economic growth, as demonstrated by the impact of Taylor Swift and Coldplay concerts on Singapore's GDP, which was boosted by around 0.25 percent.
Taiyuan is positioning itself as a major player in the concert industry, with over 30 concerts scheduled for this year alone. These events are expected to attract nearly 800,000 fans and generate tens of billions of yuan in consumer spending.
The city's commitment to the concert economy reflects its proactive pursuit of new growth drivers. This not only boosts consumption in the culture and tourism sector but also contributes to the broader economic transition toward high-quality growth.
Taiyuan's thriving concert economy boosts cultural, tourism growth
