Saint Petersburg State University is one of Russia's oldest institutions. Over the last three centuries, it has cultivated some of the greatest names in science and the arts. We paid a visit to the campus to find out more about it.

A witness to history, founded in 1724, St. Petersburg State University is the oldest institution of higher education in Russia. During its almost 300 years' history, it has seen graduates shine in different fields, famous mathematicians, chemists, physicists, and politicians, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev. I met Professor Igor Tihonov from the Department of Archaeology. He walked me through the world's longest academic hallway. It is part of Petrosvky Hall, known as the Twelve Colleges in the past. There I learned some of the qualities that Russians believe good politicians should possess. And these qualities are represented by paintings on the ceiling.

PROF. IGOR TIKHONOV INSTITUTE OF HISTORY, ST. PETERSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY "For example, agreement, resolution, mobility, charity, love of motherland and other (qualities)".

The famous October Revolution didn't only change the fate of Russia but also inspired China to search for its own way out of desperation. After 70 years' development, the ties between Russia and China have been so unique that some even say it is forged by their so-called "common enemy", the U.S. However, studying China-Russia ties for decades, Professor Nikolay Samoylov thinks otherwise.

St. Petersburg State University established collaborations with 400 universities in about 70 countries, including many of China's top universities. International exchanges have reinvigorated the old university.

TIAN WEI, ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA.