International Arctic Forum Discusses Developing Cooperation Between Russia and China

A meeting between Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Anton Kobyakov and Governor of the People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province Wang Wentao took place at the International Arctic Forum on 9 April. The parties discussed the progress of the implementation of ongoing joint projects and ways to strengthen cooperation in the development of new joint Russian-Chinese investment projects.

“Russian-Chinese relations are marked by trusting and friendly ties, high development dynamics, and an extensive organizational structure. The leaders of our countries, President Vladimir Putin and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping, have tasked us with realizing joint investment potential. We are interested in strengthening trade and economic cooperation and in implementing joint investment projects”, Heilongjiang Governor Wentao said.

At the present time, several large-scale joint projects are being carried out, including the construction of the Nizhneleninskoye-Tongjiang bridge worth approximately RUB 9 billion, the construction project of the Blagoveshchensk-Heihe bridge worth approximately RUB 19.2 billion, and the construction of the Suchan Coal mining and processing cluster, one of the largest in the modern coal industry, with plans to attract investments worth more than RUB 37 billion.

“In 2019, Russia and the People's Republic of China celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our countries. We have reached this date with a good result. In 2018, trade turnover between Russia and China reached a historical high, with an increase of more than 27% at USD 107 billion. For our part, we are ready to provide ongoing and comprehensive support to projects with Chinese investors”, Adviser to the President of the Russian Federation Kobyakov said.

The parties agreed to actively move towards the goal set by the Russian and Chinese leaders to achieve a joint trade turnover of USD 200 billion and develop a common roadmap for implementing joint investment projects in such areas as cross-border transport infrastructure and deep processing of primary resources in the Russian Federation, including through the use of the mechanisms of special economic territories and tourism infrastructure.

The Chinese side expressed its readiness to intensify collaboration on the part of commercial and investment companies from Heilongjiang Province at forums and events organized by the Roscongress Foundation in order to identify partners and project opportunities in the territory of the Russian Federation.

The parties agreed to hold their next meeting at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok in September 2019 in order to continue monitoring the progress of the steps taken and identify new goals for bilateral cooperation.