From Hangzhou to St. Petersburg: A transnational exchange of expertise – China-Russia Minimally Invasive Surgery Congress draws 1,000+ doctors and widespread media attention

On September 15-16, 2025, the First Chinese-Russian Congress of Minimally Invasive Surgery was successfully convened in St. Petersburg, Russia. This landmark event was co-organized by SRRSH (Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital), Almazov National Medical Research Centre, and the Russian Society of Surgeons.

As the first large-scale academic forum of its kind between the two nations, the event brought together leading minds and key decision-makers in the field. It featured lectures from 166 top Chinese and Russian experts in minimally invasive surgery, including over twenty specialists from SRRSH and six other leading Chinese medical institutions, with the presence of over 1,000 surgeons from across Russia.

A key outcome was the signing of an MoU between SRRSH and the Almazov National Medical Research Centre. A long-term collaboration mechanism aimed at significantly advancing minimally invasive surgery in both countries was thus established, with a major initiative that includes the launch of an international multicenter research platform for pancreatitis diagnosis and treatment.

A resounding success, the two-day congress has received extensive, positive coverage from multiple Russian media outlets, generating significant and favorable public impact in Russia.