China-Russian “Yangtze-Volga River” Regional Economic CooperationA mechanism for diplomatic cooperation between sub-national governments

As the pace of economic globalization continues to accelerate, the concept of subnational government diplomacy has evolved to encompass new dimensions, emphasizing the pivotal role of subnational governments in fostering regional cooperation. In the context of China-Russia local cooperation practices, subnational governments have emerged as key facilitators of regional collaboration, playing a crucial role in advancing practical cooperation initiatives. Within the framework of the "Yangtze-Volga River" local cooperation mechanism, where subnational governments serve as the primary actors, it is imperative for them to leverage their central role in addressing challenges such as disparities in economic scale, high transportation costs due to geographical distance, limited mutual understanding, and an incomplete cooperative policy framework. Through proactive platform development, innovative mechanisms, and enhanced infrastructure, subnational governments can further catalyze the collaborative process between the two regions.