Transport as a key factor in developing Russian-Chinese border regions

Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Institute of International Trade and Sustainable Development, 76, Prospect Vernadskogo, Moscow, 119454, Russia

^* Corresponding author: aakulapova@gmail.com

Abstract

The study presents an analysis of the current state of Sino-Russian cooperation in the field of transport and its effects on the bordering regions. Russia’s Far East and China’s North-East regions both struggle to undergo a socio-economic transformation to overcome depopulation and a peripheral position in their countries. Сross-border cooperation, first of all in the field of transportation, is viewed as a factor of growth, able to foster economic development. This article examines such aspects as the increased focus of Russian central government on the eastern regions and their integration into the expanding Asia-Pacific region, reflected in state programs for the development of the Far East, as well as PRC’s intentions to revitalize old industrial North-East and construct both continental route to Central Asia Europe (as part of the Road and Belt Initiative) and maritime route to other Pacific countries and to provide more efficient connection between northern and southern provinces. Conclusions about the necessity of elaborating efficient strategies and scheduled fulfillment of the projects are presented, as these prove to be the key elements to avoid losing mutual interest in cooperation between the neighboring countries and to bring crucial changes to the bordering regions of the two countries.