Russia and China to Develop Borderland Cooperation

   In order to stimulate Southern regions of the Far East, the government plans to extend relations between Russian Far Eastern regions and Chinese Northern provinces. Specifically, cooperation in agricultural sector through using unclaimed border cropland is being considered, Migration and Information Policy Department of President’s Plenipotentiary in Far Eastern Federal District reported to RIA PrimaMedia.
   “Trade and economic borderland cooperation can help develop Southern regions of the Far East,” President’s Plenipotentiary in Far Eastern Federal District Oleg SAFONOV said.
   According to SAFONOV, relations between Far Eastern regions and Chinese Northern provinces can stimulate several economic sectors.
   “It is very advantageous for Far Eastern borderland to establish joint enterprises producing modern building materials required for government programs and Far East development projects,” Oleg SAFONOV said.
   He also added that cooperation in agricultural sector through using Russian unclaimed border cropland could be more extensive.
   “President of the Russian Federation Dmitriy MEDVEDEV said that our state border should not only fulfill a guarding function but also extend economic and humanitarian relations between the neighboring countries, if these relations are friendly, of course. As for the Far East, first-priority development directions should be ecological cooperation and establishment of Russian and Chinese joint enterprise producing competitive communication and informatization facilities, and electronic equipment. There are many prerequisites for establishing timber processing enterprises and strengthening tourist relations,” Oleg SAFONOV said.
   President’s Plenipotentiary expressed regret at the underdevelopment of investment cooperation between Far Eastern regions and Chinese North-Eastern provinces. “Chinese investors account for only 0.5 percent (21.7 million dollars) of all foreign investments. Primorsky Territory (29.6 percent) and Amur Region (21.3 percent) receive the most investments from China in the Far East. Today investment activity in the Far Eastern borderland is connected with establishment of proper border infrastructure. But we need to go further and extend cooperation,” Oleg SAFONOV noted.
   In 2008 foreign trade turnover with China in Far Eastern Federal District was 4857 million dollars (18.5 percent of the whole trade turnover in Far Eastern Federal District). Export was 1650.2 million dollars, and import was 3206.8 million dollars. In comparison with 2007, export of Russian goods from the Far East to China reduced by 5.6 percent, while import increased by 26 percent.
   The structure of foreign trade turnover between Far Eastern Federal District and China is negative. While export accounts for 64 percent of total volume of foreign trade turnover in the Far East, export in foreign trade turnover with China accounts for 34 percent, and import accounts for 66 percent.

"Alliance Media" News Agency, based on the story by PrimaMedia