A Russian warship sails near the Heixiazi Island on the border between Russia and China's Heilongjiang Province. (Photo : Getty Images)
The setting up of land crossings that will connect Heixiazi Island to both China and Russia is expected to boost tourism and local economy in the area, China Daily reported.
Russia also suggested having cross-border checkpoints which would enable smaller vehicles or eight-seater cars to travel between Khabarovsk, one of Russia's largest cities in the Far East, and Fuyuan in Heilongjiang Province, the most easterly town in China.
Zhou Hong, director of the Heixiazi Island Development and Management Committee, said border checkpoints, once established, could be the largest on the Sino-Russian border, with more than 2 million people expected to pass through it annually.
The island, with an area of 335 square kilometers, is located at the junction of the Heilongjiang and Wusuli rivers (known as the Amur and Ussuri rivers in Russia). It is expected that the island will boost the local economy, both as a road link and as a tourist destination, with the setting up of the land crossings.
China and Russia have agreed to have each of them taking half of the island, which is one-third the size of Hong Kong.
"The experience of China and Russia in resolving border disputes left by historical factors proves that peaceful dialogue and fair and reasonable consultation on an equal basis are effective," according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, after the unveiling of the border markers on the island in 2008.
In May, President Xi Jinping visited the island and urged to protect the island's environment to encourage more tourists to visit the area.
On July 26, the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planning agency, presented a three-pronged policy for the island's "protective development." This includes turning the island into a "model zone for China-Russia cooperation," at the same time stressing environmental protection and moderate tourism growth.
Since Xi's visit, local authorities have building infrastructure, such as roads, with more focus on protecting the environment. Tourists and visitors are encouraged to take electric carts to get around.
Among the island's attractions include the recently built pagoda, Russian Orthodox church, abandoned Russian barracks, wetland areas, patrol boats and the wetland on the Russian side.
A 6-square kilometer multi-purpose complex is under construction in Fuyuan, the river town on the Chinese side. The ten-year project is worth more than 4 billion yuan ($601 million). The complex will provide a conference center, service facilities for tourists, and a campus jointly run by Chinese and Russian universities.
Zhou, who is also the Party chief of Fuyuan, said with the establishment of the land crossings, more tourists will come to the place and give local residents the "biggest opportunity".
Around 520,000 tourists visited Fuyuan and Heixiazi Island last year, which is expected to rise to 600,000 this year, local tourism officials said.
"My vision is for Fuyuan to become an international tourist resort," Zhou said.
