Russia counts on cooperation with China in ensuring observance of immigration legislation

Russia counts on "an efficient cooperation with appropriate Chinese structures" in ensuring a strict observance of the Russian immigration legislation. Chairman of the Russian government Mikhail Kasyanov said as much when answering the questions of the Chinese newspaper Renmin Ribao and RIA Novosti on the eve of his visit to the PRC.

The Prime Minister also said that a considerable part of the goods that are brought to Russia from China "come through the channels of the so called unorganised trade." These goods are brought to the country, as a rule, by small Chinese and Russian firms with violations of the customs rules.

Unfortunately, said Kasyanov, "all this undermines the reputation of qualitative and not expensive Chinese goods among the Russian consumers." "We agree with our Chinese colleagues that the time has come to introduce order in this sphere," pointed out the Russian Prime Minister. According to him, a new Customs Code is being drafted in Russia, and the government is considering the question of regulating the procedure of bringing goods into the country by natural persons.

"Other measures will also be taken which will make it possible to turn this type of trade into a civilised channel," said the Prime Minister, having emphasised that "we do not intend to prohibit this kind of trade." This question is not only economic but also social and infringes upon the interests of a great number of both Russian and Chinese citizens engaged in this business. And this fact should be taken into consideration, pointed out Mikhail Kasyanov.