Friendship Tree in Sokolniki: the story continues!

How it was July 26, 2019 May 30, 2025

Exactly 6 years ago, in May 2019, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation Mr. Li Hui was awarded the Order of Friendship personally by the President of Russia Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin. In 2019, Russia and China celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In memory of this event, Li Hui planted a birch tree - the Friendship Tree - in Sokolniki Park. Since then, the Friendship Tree has blossomed with new colors every spring, as has Russian-Chinese cooperation.

Mr. Li Hui served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Russia from December 16, 2009 to August 10, 2019, and his period of service was the longest among all Chinese ambassadors to our country. Largely due to the professionalism and talent of Li Hui, relations between Russia and China reached a new strategic level of partnership and interaction.

The team of the Sokolniki Exhibition and Convention Centre and the World Calligraphy Museum carefully preserves and supports the Friendship Tree as an important reminder of the friendship between our countries and the great contribution of the talented and sincerely respectful diplomat Li Hui!