SMEs becoming major driver of trade between China and Russia

Small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly becoming a key driver of trade growth between China and Russia, experts said on Friday at a forum held in Nanchang, capital of East China's Jiangxi province.

The 12th China-Russia SME Cooperation Roundtable brought together more than 120 companies from both countries to explore new business opportunities. The event was held under the theme of cooperation between the Belt and Road Initiative and the Eurasian Economic Union.

Participants said SMEs are increasingly becoming a key driver of trade growth between the two countries, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, automotive manufacturing, food retail, logistics, and transport.

Alexey Chepa, first deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs, said Russian and Chinese SMEs are focusing on practical cooperation in areas with clear market demand.

"At present, SMEs from both sides are paying close attention to agriculture, automobile manufacturing and parts production, food and agricultural product retail, as well as container transport and logistics," he said.

"Earlier today, we signed a cooperation agreement with a major logistics company from Jiangxi."

Chepa said trade growth with China has become one of Russia's most important economic priorities.

"I am confident that the development of Russian and Chinese SMEs will further drive bilateral trade growth and serve as a model of an equal, fair, and stable partnership," he said.

Sun Haiyan, vice-minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said China's proposed 15th Five-Year Plan (2026–30) places renewed emphasis on expanding high-level opening-up.

"Pragmatic cooperation is the most important internal driver of sustained China-Russia relations," Sun said.

"Both sides have full confidence in each other's development capabilities, cooperation potential, and long-term prospects."

Xia Wenyong, deputy governor of Jiangxi, said cooperation between Jiangxi and Russian regions has continued to deepen, particularly in trade and investment.

From January to October 2025, Jiangxi's imports and exports with Russia reached 5.8 billion yuan ($810 million), reflecting strong growth momentum, he said.

"Jiangxi will further strengthen cooperation with Russia in areas such as cross-border industrial and supply chains, targeted SME matchmaking, and expanded people-to-people exchanges," Xia said.

For Russian businesses, China's manufacturing strength and expanding consumer market are increasingly attractive.

Konstantin Durasov, chief executive officer of Zeecar, a Russian automotive company, said demand for Chinese vehicles is rising rapidly.

"More and more Russian consumers are choosing Chinese cars," Durasov said.

During his first visit to Jiangxi, he plans to tour a local vehicle factory in hopes of establishing cooperation.

He also pointed to recent visa-free travel arrangements between China and Russia as a boost for business exchanges.

"The mutual visa exemption makes it much easier for SMEs from both countries to identify opportunities and move quickly," he said.