At the invitation of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, staff members of the IO RAS, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Chief Researcher T.A. Shiganova and Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Leading Researcher A.S. Kazmin, visited the Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IO CAS) (Qingdao, Shandong Province) on a working scientific visit from June 17 to July 3, 2025.

The visit was organized at the initiative of Professor Song Feng (Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology & Environmental Sciences). The program included an exchange of information on the scientific activities of the IO RAS and the IO CAS in the field of macrozooplankton research (including invasive jellyfish species), an introduction to the laboratory and field research of their Chinese colleagues, joint work and consultations on the identification of certain ctenophores species in the Yellow Sea, and practical discussions of prospects for collaboration and participation in joint projects.

During the visit, a scientific conference was held for staff, graduate students, and undergraduates. T.A. Shiganova and A.S. Kazmin presented papers on "Introduction to the IO RAS," "Long-Term Monitoring of the Northeastern Black Sea Ecosystem with Particular Attention to Native and Invasive Gelatinous Species and Their Impact on Zooplankton and Fish Stocks," "Forecast of Range Expansion for the Ctenophora Mnemiopsis leidyi Agassiz, 1865 and Beroe ovata Bruguiere, 1789 in the Ponto-Caspian Seas in Connection with Climate Change," and "Variability of Abiotic Environmental Factors and Population Dynamics of Some Planktonic Species," as well as reports from IO CAS staff on their scientific activities. A general scientific discussion concluded.

The results of the visit were highly praised by our Chinese colleagues, as evidenced by a letter of thanks. The results achieved will contribute to the development of cooperation between our two institutes and, in the future, to participation in joint international projects and grants.