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Russia, China sign boundary pact

- PHOTO: XINHUA

HARMONIOUS TIES: Soldiers unfurl the Chinese flag at a ceremony to unveil the boundary markers between Russia and China for the border's eastern section, on Heixiazi Island on Tuesday.

BEIJING: China’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday the country’s agreement with Russia for the eastern section of their boundary had set an example for other countries.

“The experience of China and Russia in resolving border disputes left by historical reasons proves that peaceful dialogue and fair and reasonable consultation on an equal basis are an effective way,” said spokesman Qin Gang. The resolution set an example for countries to settle “sensitive” and “complicated” issues, he added. The settlement was based on existing bilateral treaties concerning the issue and complied with international law and international norms. “[The settlement] is a result of years-long negotiations and reflects the level of China-Russia strategic and coordinative partnership, which is also a step forward to carry out the Sino-Russian Good-Neighbourly Treaty,” he said.

China and Russia held a ceremony at Heixiazi Island on Tuesday to unveil the boundary markers for the eastern section of the boundary. Zhao Xidi, an Ambassador-level official with the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and Vladimir Malyshev, the Russian Foreign Ministry First Asian Department deputy director, unveiled the markers. The Foreign Ministries also confirmed the additional protocol between China and Russia on the eastern section of the boundary as well as its appendix have officially taken effect. Frontier guards have started work in accordance with the boundaries surveyed.

China and Russia will further promote trade and economic cooperation while bilateral trade volume is expected to exceed $50 billion this year, senior trade officials said in Moscow.

China and Russia would begin projects in civil aviation, space exploration and energy machinery, said a statement issued after talks between China’s Minister of Commerce Chen Deming and his Russian counterpart Elvira Nabiullina.

Trade between China and Russia surged by 23 per cent to hit $43 billion in the January-September period of 2008. — Xinhua

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