Russian Far East Official in Beijing Holds Talks on Regional Development

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), met yesterday with visiting Russian official Victor Ishayev, Presidential Representative in the Far East Federal District. Ishayev will be in China till next Wednesday, Feb. 10, taking part Sunday in a large conference between Russian and Chinese officials from the two countries' border regions, on the joint development projects agreed upon last fall. He is also slated to meet with transportation officials.

According to People's Daily, Wu said during the meeting that "both sides should take effective action to implement the program which was signed on interregional cooperation, promotion of border-crossing infrastructure, and transport." Ishayev noted the priority attention being paid by the Russian government to Far East development, "creating new opportunities for cooperation between regions in each of the two countries." He stressed Russia's interest in cooperation with China on infrastructure, energy and the timber industry.