By 2025, three additional border crossings are slated to open between Russia and China in the Primorye region, following an update from the Rosgranstroy press service. The plan reflects a strategic push to boost cross-border movement, strengthen regional trade links, and support the growing flow of people and goods between the two nations. These projects are part of a broader effort to modernize border infrastructure and improve accessibility for commercial traffic, transport services, and local communities across the borderlands.
The Pogranichny crossing is set to be one of the first to come online. Construction was slated to begin in 2022 after the signing of the relevant contract, with sights set on a 2025 opening. When operational, the checkpoint is expected to handle about 1,300 vehicles and roughly 13,800 people per day, a dramatic increase that would elevate daily cross-border mobility by nearly nine times compared with current levels. The upgrade aims to shorten wait times, enhance processing efficiency, and support regional economic activity as trade volumes expand along the corridor linking Primorye to northeastern China.
Kraskino, another border point, was planned for completion in 2024 with an opening anticipated in 2025. Construction that began a decade ago was suspended but has recently resumed, and the upgraded facility is projected to accommodate around 750 vehicles and 4,250 people each day. The latest phase represents a significant refresh of the crossing infrastructure, designed to streamline border checks and improve the experience for travelers and cargo alike, while aligning with broader regional development goals.
The third crossing, Markovo, is expected to progress most rapidly. It was targeted for completion in 2023 and opening in 2024, with a daily capacity of about 150 vehicles and 1,100 people. This project adds a smaller, yet crucial, link in the chain of border access points, contributing to smoother local movements and easing logistical bottlenecks in the border region.
In related remarks, Leonid Kalashnikov, a former chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration and Citizens’ Relations, noted that the Psou checkpoint on the Russian Federation–Abkhazia border is likely to be liquidated. This possible change underscores ongoing adjustments in border management strategies across the area and the need for clear transitional planning to minimize disruption for residents and traders who rely on cross-border crossings.