The two countries have shared opinions and information regarding pandemic control. The partnership can be extended into joint clinical studies of promising vaccines against the disease.

The global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and international co-operation is as important as ever. China was the first country which encountered the novel type of coronavirus, and since then it has deployed all its powers to combat the disease. Russia, too, has been affected by the pandemic, reporting high numbers of the infected — but a low mortality rate. The two countries, both with a vast experience in epidemic control, have held an online conference on Sunday, 16 August 2020, to discuss the current situation and prospects for future co-operation during the pandemic. The event, sponsored by the Association of Sino-Russian Medical Universities (ASRMU), took place in Guangdong Pharmaceutical University. Sechenov University members were the leading representatives from Russia.

Professor Denis Butnaru, Vice-Rector for Research of Sechenov University, said that both countries are actively collaborating on prophylactic measures and epidemic control, as well as research and development of vaccines against the coronavirus, presenting an example of effective international co-operation. Professor Vladimir Andrianov, Head of the Department of Clinical Research, and Yelena Smolyarchuk, Head of the Centre of Clinical Drugs Research, spoke about Sechenov University’s experience of conducting clinical trials during the pandemic.

Academician Zhong Nanshan, Head of China’s Leading Expert Group of the National Health Commission, highlighted the strategies of early warning, prevention, and treatment of severe COVID-19 infection. He also said that China and Russia are planning to conduct joint clinical trials of potential vaccines against the coronavirus, and the two countries have a lot to learn from each other in terms of epidemic control.

Earlier this summer, Sechenov University became the site of the clinical study of Russia’s most promising coronavirus vaccine. The University actively co-operates with Chinese medical schools, including partnership projects such as ASRMU.