The growing role of China in Russia's foreign trade is increasing the demand for specialists who are proficient in Chinese and possess additional professional skills. Olga Ponomareva, expert of the Economic Policy Foundation at the Gaidar Institute, spoke about it to the Moscow News Agency.
According to the expert, China’s share of Russian foreign trade has risen from 12% in 2015 and 18% in 2020 to over one-third in 2025. In this context, knowledge of Chinese is becoming an added advantage when job hunting, particularly in the fields of foreign economic activity, logistics, IT, and international projects.
"Knowledge of Chinese is undoubtedly a competitive advantage in the Russian labor market. At the same time, combining language skills with other competencies, such as experience in foreign economic activity, international project management, and negotiations, as well as industry-specific expertise, becomes particularly valuable," noted Olga Ponomareva.
However, the expert believes, knowledge of the language alone is not enough today. Employers need specialists who understand the nuances of the Chinese market and possess the skills to negotiate and build business relationships with foreign partners.
According to the expert, a similar trend will emerge in Russia's cooperation with other countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.