“Diplomacy of Cities” as a Tool for the Development of Cooperation Between Russia and China (on the Example of St. Petersburg and Qingdao)

Purpose. The article deals with the “diplomacy of cities” as a tool for the development of cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China on the example of partnerships between the twin cities of St. Petersburg and Qingdao. The purpose of the study is to identify the features of the development of mutually beneficial partnerships between the megacities of St. Petersburg and Qingdao at the present stage, as well as to determine the role of such a partnership of cities in strengthening strategic Russian-Chinese cooperation. Results: as part of the development of interstate cooperation between Russia and China, taking into account current crises and trends in international relations, the partnership of such megacities as St. Petersburg and Qingdao can become one of the key mechanisms for strengthening comprehensive cooperation between the countries. Modern megacities with their complex structure are interesting objects to study not only as centers of economic development, trade, technology and intercultural dialogue, but also as actors largely influencing the development of processes at the macro-regional and micro-regional levels. The dynamics of the development of municipal and business contacts, as well as the implementation of projects, allows us to conclude that the twinned ties of St. Petersburg and Qingdao will continue to strengthen in the long term.

diplomacy of cities, megacities, twin cities, St. Petersburg, Qingdao, Russian-Chinese cooperation, the “One Belt, One Road” initiative