If you want a good neighbor, build a good fence, they say. For Russia and China, who share a 4,300-km border, building a good fence is not easy. In Northeast Asia, the border between the two has opened up greatly since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Russians and Chinese rub elbows in border towns abuzz with trade. But smuggling and illegal migration, and a history of territorial disputes, are jeopardizing neighborly relations. Vladivostok News examines Russia-China relations in a special China series.

The land across the Amur Getting from Blagoveschensk to China can be trickier than it looks.         Tourists throng to border towns Russell Working Suifenhe, located across the border from Pogranichny, attracts substantial Russian commerce and trade. Russian tourists – and all of China – helped build Suifenhe, Heihe and other Chinese cities. And the visitors arrive with wallets full of dollars. By Russell Working SUIFENHE, China – The electricity was out and the water was off in Nezabudka restaurant, and seven Sakhalin housewives on their third bottle of vodka stopped kissing each other and began shining a tiny flashlight in the eyes of nearby men. Russia, China eager for trade growth By Russell Working SUIFENHE, China--Two hundred meters into the People's Republic of China are a pyramid-shaped archway and mirror-windowed shopping complex where Russian tourists can make last-minute purchases on their way home.       Russia's Chinese population grows They live everywhere from hotels to cargo containers, and fill the markets of the Far East. Why are the Chinese coming to Primorye? Tourists throng to border towns Russian tourists -- and all of China -- helped build Suifenhe, Heihe and other Chinese cities. And the visitors arrive with wallets full of dollars. China-related Web sites South China Morning Post http://www.scmp.com/ Despite China's take-over of Hong Kong, this daily manages to provide a wide range of articles and opinion. We'll see how long it lasts. China Daily on the Web http://www.chinadaily.net/ The official government news site. Where else can you read the full text of speeches by President Jiang Zemin, for example "Enhance Mutual Understanding and Build Stronger Ties of Friendship and Cooperation"? The Washington Post's China page http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/worldref/country/china.htm China coverage from one of America's leading newspapers. [Back to the top]  [Back to Front page]  [Write to us] © copyright 1998 the Vladivostok News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed in any form.