Russia and China deepen economic ties with record Far East trade
Russia and China deepen economic ties with record Far East trade
Russia and China deepen economic ties with record Far East trade
Russia and China have strengthened their economic ties, with trade between China and Russia’s Far East surpassing 1.7 trillion rubles last year. The latest discussions took place at the AmurExpo-2026 forum in Blagoveshchensk, where officials highlighted new investment opportunities and cross-border cooperation. The AmurExpo-2026 forum ran from May 21 to 24 in Blagoveshchensk, serving as a key platform for trade, investment, and industrial talks between Russia, China, and other nations. The event focused on deepening regional partnerships, particularly in the Far East, where major infrastructure and industrial projects are underway.
Last week, the Russian-Chinese Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation and Development met in Harbin. Alexey Chekunkov, head of Russia’s Ministry for the Development of the Far East and Arctic, used the occasion to invite Chinese businesses to participate in a new investment scheme. This scheme, called the International Advanced Development Territory, will offer special incentives in Amur Oblast, Primorye, and Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island. The Far East has already introduced a range of preferential regimes to attract foreign capital. Currently, 140 projects involve international partners, with 94 of them backed by Chinese investors. Total Chinese investments in the region now exceed 1 trillion rubles. The Amur Region, in particular, has become a development hub, with a growing gas chemical cluster and large-scale infrastructure upgrades. President Vladimir Putin’s visit to China this week is expected to further expand cooperation between the two countries. Officials anticipate new agreements that will build on the existing trade and investment framework.
The Far East’s trade with China has hit record levels, supported by preferential investment schemes and major forums like AmurExpo-2026. With ongoing infrastructure projects and new economic zones, the region is set to remain a focal point for Russian-Chinese collaboration. Further discussions during Putin’s visit may lead to additional partnerships in the near future.