From October 2 to 4, 2007, Vice Minister Cao Jianlin led a delegation to Russia for 2007 M&R (Mechanical-electrical Integration and Robotic Technology International Exhibition) held in St. Petersburg and attended the opening ceremony of the Exhibition as the Chinese Chairman of the International Organizing Committee of the Exhibition. 

During the exhibition, the Chinese delegation members also visited two national science centers including Russia Central Robots and Engineering Cybernetics Research Institute as well as Vavilov National Optics Research Institute.