News

In the run up to the annual conference "Modern Russia and the world: development alternatives  (East and West: the regions in cross-border cooperation)," experts of Altai Regional Coordination Center of Export-oriented Small and Medium-sized Business Entities Support prepared material on the topical aspects of cooperation between the Altai region and the PRC.

Today, Russian-Chinese relations are at their peak and officially recognized as a "strategic partnership and cooperation." For the past two decades Altai Krai leaders have been actively developing the scope of international cooperation. The apparent advantage of the Altai Territory is a favorable geographical position near the actively growing markets in Central and South-East Asia. In 2014 the turnover of the Altai Territory with China amounted to 159 662.6 USD. Since 2003, the trade between China and the Altai Territory has increased 13-fold. The main exports from Russia to China include wood and wood products, ores, organic chemicals, machinery and mechanical appliances. Also Altay region supplies vegetables, flour and grain to China. Core imports are represented by equipment and spare parts, agricultural machinery, plastic products, ferrous metals, chemical fertilizers, cotton fiber. From January to June in 2015 the share of non-CIS countries amounted to 74.9% of the total value of turnover and the PRC took 1st place in terms of turnover in the ranking of countries becoming a major trade partner of the Altai Territory. Altai region has the most fruitful cooperation with Xinjiang. On February 25, 1999  the Administration of the Altai Region of the Russian Federation and the People's Government of the Xinjiang signed an agreement to promote trade, economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation. For over 15 years, Altai companies have been the participants of China – Eurasia EXPO. In August of this year  six companies presented their products at the exhibition. The overland checkpoint "Alashankou" in Xinjiang turned into the 16th duty-free zone. Alashankou is the gateway to the second Eurasian transcontinental bridge to China, its opening has played an important role in foreign economic and trade relations boost in Xinjiang. Under the signed agreements Altai companies are guaranteed the right to supply  the shopping centers located in the zone with high quality products from regional manufacturers  including honey, flour, cereals, oils, beverages, health and beauty products. In addition to the economic ties strengthening,  cooperation in the field of science, education, tourism and humanitarian sphere has increased as well.

Although Altai krai has no common border line with China political and business establishment of the region put China among the priority partners. The internal problems unfortunately hinder the development of bilateral cooperation, but both counterparts have the capacity to overcome all difficulties.