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The border agreement between Russia and China is only the latest in a 300-year history of accords between the two eastern powers. Here is a timeline of contacts between the Russian bear and the Chinese dragon.

1689: The ambassadors of two quickly expanding countries sign the first frontier pact in history. Russia admits China's right to settle on the banks of the Amur River.

1858: Russia and China agree to manage jointly territory that would later become Primorsky krai.

1860: Taking advantage of China's weakened government, Russia demands that Chinese officials accept territorial compromises and adopt a border similar to today's.

1886: Government officials from Russia and China permanently define the border between them, but do not give details on the agreement.

1969: Prime Minister of China Chou En Lai and top Party official Alexei Kosygin agree to meet after armed conflict along the eastern Russian-Chinese border heightens tension between the two countries. Border disputes are resolved in the course of negotiations.

1991: Russia and China agree to reconsider the existing border treaty.

1993: Gov. Yevgeny Nazdratenko declares that Russia will lose land as the result of a new border settlement.

1996: Before visiting China, President Yeltsin announces in Khabarovsk that islands on the Amur river will be given to China in the developing treaty.

April, 1996: China, Russia, Tadzhikstan, Kazakhstan, and Kirghizstan agree on measures of mutual security and decrease troop numbers along their borders.

November, 1997: President Boris Yeltsin and Chairman Jiang Zemin sign a declaration proclaiming an end to all border disputes. The negotiation process started in 1991 is resolved.