"Meeting President Putin was a 'super, super, super surprise' for me," Peng Pai said excitedly, finding it hard to calm down for a long time after his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin who was visiting China on May 20. He mentioned in an interview that President Putin expressed his happiness at reuniting with the boy he had first met during his first visit to China 26 years ago." I think this shows that he greatly values the friendship between China and Russia," Peng said. 

In the summer of 2000, Putin visited China for the first time as Russian president. He happened to meet 10-year-old Peng Pai at Beihai Park in Beijing when Peng was placed on a railing by his father. Putin walked over, lifted him down, and took a photo with him. On May 20, 2026, during his visit to China, Putin met Peng again. Now, Peng has become a senior engineer at a company in Hunan.

President Putin (L) poses for a photo with Peng Pai (C) at Beihai Park, Beijing on July 17, 2000. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Peng displayed the gift from Putin, a blue gift box containing a set of Russian porcelain wares. The box was inscribed in both Chinese and Russian: "'Moscow Classic' tea set from the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory in St. Petersburg. The 20-piece set features depictions of historical buildings in Moscow on each item." Peng smiled and said the gift is too precious for him to use.

Peng shows the gift from President Putin. (Photo/Chen Zishuai)

Peng also presented President Putin with a set of porcelain wares, including a birdsong teapot from Liling, Hunan. "When water is poured from the teapot, it makes a crisp sound like a bird singing. In traditional Chinese culture, the magpie brings good news and carries an auspicious meaning."

Unlike the encounter 26 years ago, this time Peng had more opportunities to communicate with President Putin. He shared with Putin his studies and work over the years, and Putin gave his affirmation. "I told President Putin that I studied at a university in Moscow where I felt the care and help from Russian teachers and students for us international students. I also brought the knowledge and rigorous attitude I learned there back to my hometown. When President Putin heard that I had returned to my hometown to work and contribute to its development, he affirmed it." Peng said.

What impressed Peng deeply was that during the meeting, Putin specifically mentioned his home province, Hunan. "President Putin told me he knew that Hunan is the hometown of Chairman Mao."

After graduating from high school, Peng obtained a Russian presidential scholarship and went to study in Russia. He was enrolled at the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University, majoring in bridge and traffic tunnel engineering. Peng told the reporter that meeting President Putin at Beihai Park 26 years ago became a crucial turning point that changed the course of his life. Since then, he has proactively learned about Russian history and culture, and he has lived and studied in Russia for seven years.

The "China-Russia Year of Education" officially commenced on May 20. According to Xinhua News Agency, this will be another grand event in the cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries following the "China-Russia Year of Culture." This event will inject new momentum into the carrying forward of China-Russia friendship from generation to generation and the mutual understanding and affinity between the two peoples.

"I am an example of China-Russia educational cooperation. I think there are very many areas where China and Russia can cooperate." Peng Pai stated that he currently works in the engineering industry, where there are many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries. " I would be very happy if I have the chance to participate in such cooperation."

As a witness to the China-Russia friendship, Peng said that looking back over the years, China-Russia relations have been rapidly developing in a better direction. "In the news, we see many great outcomes achieved at this meeting between the heads of state of the two countries. I believe there will definitely be more and better development in the future. We ordinary people are eagerly looking forward to it," Peng Pai stated.

Today, Peng is the father of two boys. "I want to take my children to Russia when they are a bit older. I want to tell them my story." He also expressed his hope that his children can contribute to promoting friendly exchanges between China and Russia.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.  

Translator: Pang Yuehui

Chinese source: Global Times