Russia counts on effective collaboration with China in ensuring strict observance of Russian migration legislation

Russia counts on "effective collaboration with the Chinese structures concerned" in ensuring strict observance of the Russian migration legislation. Russian premier Mikhail Kasyanov said this when answering questions put by the Chinese Renmin Ribao newspaper and RIA Novosti prior to his forthcoming visit to the People's Republic of China.

When commenting, at the request of Renmin Ribao, on the apprehensions of some Russian mass media concerning negative political results of the possible cooperation between China and Russia on the labour force market, Mikhail Kasyanov pointed out that "these apprehensions can be removed by a strict observance of the Russian migration legislation." "We count on effective collaboration on this front with the Chinese structures concerned," he stressed.

Kasyanov also noted that a lot of goods imported by Russia from China "come along the channels of the so-called non-organised trade" by small Chinese and Russian firms that violate customs regulations, and do not correspond to technical and sanitary standards.

Regrettably, Kasyanov said, "this undermines the reputation of quality and cheap Chinese goods among Russian consumers." "We agree with our Chinese counterparts that order should be established in this sphere", the premier pointed out. According to him, Russia is preparing a draft Customs Code, and the government of the Russian Federation is considering the issue of regulating imports of goods by private individuals.

"Other measures will also be taken, which will make this area of trade civilized", the prime minister said and stressed that Russia is not going to ban it.

This issue has not only an economic but also a social dimension and touches on the interests of a great number of Russian and Chinese citizens involved in this business. This fact should be taken into account, Kasyanov concluded.