Published on: 2026-04-28
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
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Svirsk /Russia/, April 28 /Xinhua/ — The city of Svirsk in the Irkutsk region of Russia is ready to develop cooperation with China. This was stated in an interview with the Xinhua correspondent by the mayor of the city, Vladimir Ornoev.
“We have the opportunity today to interest the Chinese side. We are ready to consider any proposals for joint ventures, joint business, and investments in the hotel business,” he noted.
Located on the left bank of the Angara, 130 km from Irkutsk and 70 km from Lake Baikal, Svirsk received city status in 1949. “The settlement itself was formed at the beginning of the 18th century. Our city is famous for the fact that since the mid-1930s, industry began to develop here. Therefore, we consider ourselves an industrial city,” said V. Ornoev, adding that there is a plant in the city producing automobile batteries, as well as developing woodworking and lumber production.
According to the mayor, the city is interested in creating joint ventures with Chinese companies to develop industry. “We have everything necessary for a Chinese investor to enter joint ventures. We are ready for this if proposals are made,” he assured.
Another promising area of cooperation with China was named by V. Ornoev as the development of tourism. He pointed out that, as a rule, everyone goes to Baikal. At the same time, the Angara is the only river flowing out of Baikal, and it itself can represent a great tourist interest.
“In summer, our place is no less wonderful than Baikal. We have equally clean water, a motorboat, small islands on which you can travel along the Bratsk reservoir and enjoy nature. Our place is larger in scale than Baikal. We have picturesque islands, excellent fishing, and a comfortable climate,” emphasized the interlocutor from Sinyuyu, noting that Svirsk became the first area that initiated the development of tourism on the Bratsk reservoir on the Angara.
In recent years, Svirsk has been actively developing its tourism industry. On the bank of the Angara under the open sky, on an area of almost 9000 sq. m, a complex zone for recreation, entertainment, and walks has been equipped. Visitors can not only enjoy picturesque views but also listen to the captivating immersive audio performance “Svirsk: the Pearl of the Angara.” To increase the city’s attractiveness, various art festivals are held annually, and the concrete sculpture square “Tvorimir” has been built. On the city sightseeing tour, tourists can visit historical sites, cozy courtyards, and the only Museum of Arsenic in Russia.
As V. Ornoev stated, considering that the infrastructure around Baikal today does not allow accepting everyone who wishes, including tourists from China, Svirsk is ready to accept this tourist flow. “If the Chinese side is interested in the attractiveness of our city, we are ready to consider the issue of a land plot, for example, for the construction of a hotel. We have land for the construction of tourist infrastructure, which is not available on the Baikal side,” he clarified.
Mayor Svirsk believes that both sides have benefited from the development of cooperation. “Today, cooperation is only at the initial stage. Of course, I would like to strengthen it, considering how quickly and rapidly the CIS is developing in all directions. Naturally, it would be good to find points of contact,” summarized V. Ornoev.
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