What is China today — a vast manufacturing hub, a technological superpower, or a distinct civilizational model that is gradually reshaping conventional perceptions of the global economy? What do Russian entrepreneurs need to know to ensure that cooperation with Chinese partners delivers tangible results? These questions were at the heart of the lecture “China as a Challenge and an Opportunity” delivered to ICEF students by Professor Alexey Maslov, Doctor of Historical Sciences, a leading Russian expert on China and Asian countries, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Lomonosov Moscow State University, and visiting professor at HSE University. The meeting was moderated by Oleg Zamkov, Deputy Director of ICEF HSE University. The discussion went beyond economics, addressing the different ways in which Russia and China approach business relations, trust, and the very principles of doing business. Alexey Maslov has studied China, its history, culture, and contemporary social processes for many years. He recently published the book Tea with the Dragon: Traditions and Strategies for Doing Business in China, which was named the best non-fiction book of 2026.
