China-Russia expo begins in Harbin
June 30, 2014, 5:52 am

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin addresses the opening ceremony of the first China-Russia Expo in Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, June 29, 2014 [Xinhua]

The first China-Russia Exposition aimed at furthering economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, opened on Sunday in Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province.

“We’re discussing big infrastructure projects,” said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin who was the co-host at the launch on Sunday.

The two sides are also discussing joint projects in satellite navigation, finance, tourism, agriculture and trade.

China is hosting a national level exposition with another country for the first time underlining the intensity of growing China-Russia contacts.

“It is a direct reflection of the high level political mutual trust and economic integration between the two countries,” said Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang during the opening on Sunday.

The week-long expo, open from Monday to Friday, is jointly held by China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Russian ministries of economic development and industry and trade.

From Russia, 30 regional delegations, representatives of various federal ministries, as well as the Russian business elite are attending the expo.

“Together with our Chinese colleagues, we have did our best to make the EXPO maximum close to practical interests of Russian and Chinese business communities,” Rogozin was quoted by Itar Tass Agency.

Heads of 12 federal agencies and more than 30 Russian regions, representatives from leading state corporations, such as Roschec, Rusal, United Aircraft Corporation, Inter RAO are attending the expo, said Rogozin.

Russia’s Amur region is showcasing nine projects at the event in Harbin.

1597 enterprises and businesses from different countries will join the expo that is being held at an exhibition hall of about 86,000 square meters.

Russia is a major trade partner of China. In the first four months of 2014, bilateral trade volume grew by 3.4 per cent year on year to $29.06 billion, official statistics revealed.

TBP and Agencies