The Russian government is enhancing logistics routes on the border with China to boost trade, focusing on ports, air traffic, railways, and checkpoints.
Experts say this is the main agenda of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's visit to Khabarovsk, as reported by URA news.
During his trip, Mishustin visited a children's hospital and reviewed the city's development plans. However, the central topic was transportation, highlighted by his visits to the Far Eastern State Transport University (FETUPS) and the international airport.
Mishustin stressed the importance of attracting foreign students to the Far East, noting that many students from China and the CIS are already studying at Russian railway universities.
This, he believes, will help strengthen ties with friendly countries.
Governor Dmitry Demeshin mentioned joint development plans with China for Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island, with new checkpoints to be opened as early as 2024. The Prime Minister confirmed that funding is already in place for these projects.
Experts, including Maxim Krivelevich from the School of Economics and Management at FEFU, say the Far East's infrastructure must be developed to handle increased cargo flow due to sanctions from the US and EU. This redirection of trade to Asia demands enhanced logistics capabilities.
Krivelevich predicts that the Far East will soon attract significant investment to meet the needs of the growing Asian market. The Khabarovsk river port, although smaller in national significance compared to sea ports, is important for regional cargo transportation.
Political scientist Marat Bashirov noted that Khabarovsk is key for developing transport links with China and Southeast Asia.
