In November 2024, staff members of the A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (NSCMB FEB RAS), led by Dr. I.Yu. Dolmatov, the Director and a Corresponding Member of the RAS, and Academician A.V. Adrianov, the Scientific Supervisor of the Center, participated in three major conferences in China. The delegation also included Dr. Mordukhovich and Dr. Orlova, the Deputy Directors for Science, Dr. Mayorova, the Scientific Head of the Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, and Dr. Malyutina, the Leading Researcher of the Laboratory of Systematics and Morphology.

The first conference “The Conference on Frontiers of Science and Technology of Deep-sea Ecosystem: From Tropical to Polar Regions” was held at the Tsinghua University on November 7. The NSCMB FEB RAS was represented at this event by Academician A.V. Adrianov, Dr. Mordukhovich, Dr. Malyutina, and Dr. Mayorova.

The next event, the 4th conference “Current Trends and Achievements in Life Sciences” was held at the Shenzhen MSU-BIT University on November 9. The NSCMB FEB RAS delegation at this conference included Dr. Dolmatov, Academician A.V. Adrianov, Dr. Mordukhovich, Dr. Malyutina, Dr. Mayorova, and Dr. Orlova.

The key objective of the joint university is to train young specialists in China using the best Russian educational programs, essential for implementing projects between the two countries in the Asia-Pacific region, and to foster cultural dialogue and mutual understanding between our countries. The training is conducted in three languages (Russian, Chinese, and English) based on the educational programs of Moscow State University, delivered by teachers from this and other leading global universities and research centers. Specialists from the NSCMB FEB RAS were invited not only to participate in the conferences but also to deliver lectures to students of the joint university.

The final event, the 2nd International Conference on Biology, Geology, and Environment of Hadal Trenches, was hosted by the Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IDSSE CAS), from November 14 to 16 in Sanya.

Additionally, on November 13, a meeting between IDSSE CAS and NSCMB FEB RAS was conducted in Sanya. Within the framework of the meeting, negotiations were held on the potential areas of further cooperation: joint expeditions, processing of materials from the 2024 expedition, bilateral and international forums, cooperative use of collected materials, creation of information products (methodologies, databases, etc.), and opportunities for young employees, students, and postgraduates to take part in joint projects. The participation of NSCMB FEB RAS scientists in the IDSSE CAS deep-sea submersible expedition to the Arctic Ocean was discussed.

The events in Sanya were attended by Dr. Dolmatov, Academician Adrianov, Dr. Mordukhovich, Dr. Malyutina, and Dr. Mayorova.

There is significant enthusiasm among scientific organizations in China for collaborating with Russian researchers on the study of deep-sea ecosystems.

The participation of representatives from the NSCMB FEB RAS in recent international conferences has provided insight into the main directions of research of the world's leading centers and specialists in deep-sea biology and has helped identify areas of mutual scientific interest.