Russians and Chinese Must Cross Border Strictly Legally

According to Konstantin Pulikovsky, Russia's President's Plenipotentiary in the Far Eastern Federal District, the present visit of President Putin to China will strengthen political, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries. Mr. Pulikovsky further said that cooperation between Russia and China had lately significantly improved. For instance, the Sakhalin Region and the People's Republic of China signed agreements concerning the establishing of joint ventures to fell and store timber, organise trade, and create catering and service centres. At this time, discussions are underway between Chinese entrepreneurs and those in the Jewish Autonomous District concerning the development of the Ushuman lignite and Kimkan iron ore deposits. Also active in this way is the Khabarovsk Territory. Its Governor, Viktor Ishayev is now in China, taking part in the programme of President Putin's visit.

Of course, there is a number of problems too, where the issue of migration is among the central. Mr. Pulikovsky believes that the border must be crossed by both Russians and Chinese strictly in a legal way. However, he thinks that there is no way to ban migration as some say we should. Far East needs workforce. We do not have enough road construction and agricultural workers. China still has not resolved the problem of unemployment, so we must work together to do so.