Russia and China are expected to build a 750-meter long aerial ropeway to allow people to pass through across a border river, which would boost tourism in both countries, report Shanghai Daily.
According to the press service of the Russian government, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed an order authorizing certain government agencies to strike an intergovernmental agreement with counterparts in China for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the cross-border aerial ropeway on Amur River (Heilongjiang River in China).
Cross-border aerial ropeway expected to attract investments
Russia and China are expected to begin the construction of the cross-border aerial ropeway this year, and its estimated opening will be in the first quarter of 2018. The ropeway is expected to add beauty to the Amur region and attract infrastructure investments to improve it as a tourist destination. It is also expected to help promote socio-economic development in the region.
Additionally, China and Russia are expecting to complete the construction of the 2,215-meter long railway bridge across the Amur River by 2015. The bridge will connect China’s Tongjiang City in Heilongjiang Province with Nizhneleninskoye with Russia’s Jewish Autonomous Oblast.
The bridge is expected to help boost the development of cross-border trade, transportation and tourism in the region.
A package of investment programs related to the two cross-border projects will be discussed during the upcoming 2015 Eastern Economonuc Forum (EEF) on September 3 to 4 in Vladivostok, Russia.
Russia and China expected to sign 22 agreements
Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit China on September 3. He will join his counterpart Xi Jinping in the celebration of the 70th Anniversary of China’s victory against Japan and the broader defeat of the Axis powers and the end of the World War II.
“At the beginning of September, Putin will pay a visit to China. He will also attend celebrations of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the world war against Nazis and the war of China’s resistance to Japanese aggressors. An official meeting between Putin and [Chinese] President Xi Jinping is planned during solemn celebrations,” said China’s Deputy Foreign Minister Chen Gopin.
The People’s Liberation Army will showcase its newest military equipment during the event.
Russia and China are expected to sign 22 agreements, according to the Russian Ambassador to Beijing Andrei Denisov. According to him, Putin and other members of the Russian delegation would discuss a range of issues with the Chinese party including trade and economic cooperation.
Denisov said, “I can say that we have 22 documents on the list.” According to him, the documents are related to infrastructure construction, banking, and financial sectors.
“We also expect to see the CEOs of our energy and metals companies, and also transport companies, as we have many transport projects,” according to the Ambassador.
Meanwhile, Russia and China started the second phase of the joint naval exercises (Joint Sea 2015) involving 22 warships and more than 500 troops, 20 aircraft, and 40 armor vehicles.
Wang Haiqing of Xinhua commented that the joint naval drills are designed to promote maritime security and regional stability. Political observers suggested that both countries are seeking to extend their military power in the Asian region, which is torn by territorial disputes.
“Growing military ties between Russia and China have irritated some sensitive nerves especially in Washington, but it is worth noting that excessive geopolitical interpretation of a specific military drill is neither necessary nor justified,” said Haiqing.
