A plan to boost Russia-China trade took a formal step forward when the president ordered the creation of a dedicated center in Blagoveshchensk to coordinate commercial ties between the two nations. The directive came during a discussion focused on advancing the development of cities in the Far East, and it was issued through the presidential administration.
The document outlines that the government of the Russian Federation, in collaboration with the Roscongress Foundation, should engage the Amur regional authorities and other relevant bodies to prepare proposals. The aim is to establish a Russia-China commercial cooperation center of federal significance in Blagoveshchensk, comprising a contract-based exhibition space, hotel facilities, and a business hub, with a target completion timeline extending to 2026.
A clear deadline for moving this initiative forward was set, with March 1, 2024 established as the date by which the order should be implemented.
The leadership noted that the foreign policy orientations of Russia and China appear aligned. The president observed that Russia’s Eurasian economic strategy aligns closely with Chinese planning within the framework of broader connectivity initiatives associated with the Belt and Road concept, emphasizing mutual opportunities for regional integration and cross-border commerce.
In related comments, a former Russian ambassador to China highlighted that economic cooperation between the two nations has been expanding rapidly. This perspective reflects a broader assessment of growing commercial activity and institutional collaboration across sectors and regions.
Across the dialogue, parallels were drawn between developments in Russia and China, underscoring a shared trajectory in economic and strategic collaboration that many officials view as converging on common goals for regional prosperity and stronger bilateral ties.