Published on: 2026-05-19
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Vladivostok, May 19 /Xinhua/ — The Amur Region of the Russian Federation, as part of the implementation of the Russian strategy “Turn to the East,” is strengthening the status of one of the main centers of Russian-Chinese cooperation and is ready to further contribute to the development of friendship and cooperation between Russia and China. This was stated in an interview with Xinhua by the governor of the region, Vasily Orlov.
“Amur Oblast is located at the junction of two countries. We have the longest section of the Russian-Chinese state border and extensive experience working with Chinese partners accumulated over many years,” he emphasized.
One of the key steps in developing the partnership was the creation in Blagoveshchensk of a Competence Center for Russian-Chinese Business Cooperation at the federal level. The Center will begin operations in 2025.
“Entrepreneurs from both countries can comprehensively address their tasks related to Russian-Chinese trade, implementation of joint projects, search and establishment of long-term relationships with partners. Instead of dozens of fragmented structures, companies from both countries receive a single ‘point of entry’ with a step-by-step route from the request to the result,” said V. Orlov.
China remains the main trading partner of the region: up to 80 percent of the foreign trade turnover of the Amur Region is accounted for by it. China is also the largest foreign investor in the region, with a share of capital investment exceeding half of the total accumulated foreign investment.
Among the largest joint projects is the Amur Gas Chemical Complex / a joint project of the Russian company Sibur and the Chinese corporation Sinopec/, as well as projects in the field of renewable energy involving the Chinese company PowerChina.
With the participation of Chinese partners, the “Amur Corridor” project is also being implemented, which acts as a unified transport and logistics framework for cooperation.
“Visa-free regime is a powerful impetus for the development of cooperation between two countries in tourism, which in turn gives a multiplicative effect for the development of more than 50 related industries. It is also an opportunity for residents of Russia and China to learn more about each other, to make friends,” emphasized the governor.
Together with the Irkutsk region of the Russian Federation, two new routes have been developed for tourists — “Red Silk” / an immersive route based on the joint Russian-Chinese homonymous film of 2025 / and “Festival of Ice and Snow” / tours for winter events in the Russian region /. And the launch is planned for this year.
“Taking the opportunity, I want to invite our Chinese friends to the Amur Region to ride the world’s first cross-border ropeway, play hockey on the border between Russia and China, and see the launch of a rocket from the Vostochny cosmodrome,” the head of the region added.
At Amur State University, about 85 percent of foreign students are citizens of China. Four research centers have been opened jointly with Chinese partners.
Governor V. Orlov is a specialist with a profile education in the field of the Chinese language.
“I believe that knowledge of the Chinese language is important in our days. It is taught in the schools of the city of Blagoveshchensk, and in some schools, it is studied as a primary foreign language. I am convinced: living in close proximity to China, our children must be able to communicate with our neighbors,” indicated the head of the region.
“My main impression of China and its people is the colossal dynamism and respect for their history,” noted V. Orlov.
“I believe that there are great opportunities for further gradual development in Russian-Chinese cooperation… Amur Oblast values the established relations and is ready to continue contributing to the development of friendship and cooperation between Russia and China,” added the governor.
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