Anastasia Stepanova (Chinese name: An Xin), a 2018 Russian alumna of Silk Road School, was honored as an Outstanding Graduate of the 2020 cohort. Since January 2021, she has served as a member of the Expert Committee at the Belt and Road Green Development Institute under the China International Cultural Exchange Center (CICEC). Currently, she holds the position of Deputy Director at the Business Tourism Development Center of the Russia-China Chamber of Machinery, Technology and Innovation. Additionally, she serves as an expert at the Valdai Discussion Club, a prominent Russian and international think tank. She has participated in numerous Russia-China meetings and international conferences, contributing commentaries, articles, and expert opinions.

Silk Road School, Renmin University of China – is one of the best in the world. That’s what I also tell to my friends and colleagues. I received high-level recommendations both from Russia and the EU to try to apply to SRS. And I am very happy that my application form was approved in the end, after all interviews and preparations.

Renmin University of China is one of the best rated Universities in the professional field. Silk Road School, Renmin University of China, gives a lot of knowledge about contemporary Chinese economy, investments, Chinese law, Chinese politics and Chinese culture, art and history. We had many lectures and seminars, and we were all quite busy with studying during the semester. There is a very good library at the University as well. The professors there are very professional, they give high-level lectures of all the processes of China. Teachers are professional and friendly as well, which is fantastic because it brings an environment of positivity. We also had some cultural activities – like cooking, singing, playing national instruments, dancing, traveling sometimes, participating at exhibitions, visiting parks and cultural sightseeing.

Another awesome aspect about SRS is our student environment. I have so many friends now from many countries, I also learned more about their way of living and culture. Even after graduation we have not forgot about each other and are always very glad to hear from each other.

I think the most impressive city for me is Beijing, the capital of People’s Republic of China. It’s absolutely great – great history, great art, museums, parks, sightseeing. I hope to have an opportunity to visit it again and to see the Great Wall and the Forbidden city once again, among other historical places. I would also like to visit one day Chinese opera – I’ve heard it’s fantastic. I like classic music a lot. And in addition, I would like to go to a restaurant in Beijing to eat Beijing duck. Chinese food is tasty.

I also like Suzhou city a lot. It’s nice, beautiful and has a lot of parks. It’s both modern and traditional.  There are a lot small rivers, channels, some lakes, and nature is vibrant there.

Currently I am Deputy Head at the Business Tourism Development Center, Russian-Chinese Chamber for Machinery, Technologies and Innovations (Moscow, Russia). I also participate as an advisor at some machinery production and agricultural projects. The chamber is mostly focused on the development of Russian-Chinese business cooperation. I also have an experience as a global business development and sales specialist at e-commerce business. Before coming to China, I worked in Europe, in Austria, Luxembourg, at a well-known international organization. I also work at the International Institute on Applied System Analysis as a coordinator of international project “Challenges and Opportunities of Economic Integration within a wider European and Eurasian Space”. In addition, currently I am an expert of the key Russian and International Think-Tank «Valdai Discussion Club”. I am very honored to be a member of an expert committee of The National Academy of Belt and Road Green Development, China International Culture Exchange Center, CICEC, since January, 2021.

Within the scientific community I regular participate at Russian-Chinese and International conferences, write reviews, articles, and expert opinions. I also write some scientific reports in economics with Chinese colleagues. Last year I was a co-author of the report Platform world: from corporates to regions.

In the field of business, I help as a consultant to develop Russian-Chinese business cooperation. As a Deputy Head of Business Tourism center, I also try to learn more about the culture of the two countries.

I think that Silk Road School educational program is very useful for students – because after finishing their two years they will know more about China, about the Belt and Road Initiative, see how China has become so well-developed and strong, and learn the main points of cooperation between China and other countries. Each student can use this experience to have further cultural exchange and develop the mutual cooperation between China and their own country, while developing their personal career.