Heixiazi Island to open to tourists next month

HARBIN - The Sino-Russian border island, Heixiazi, is expected to receive tourists in late July, a local official has said.

Bo Xiru, chief of the tourism bureau of Northeast Heilongjiang province, said that construction of infrastructure projects within the Chinese territory on the island are nearly complete, and the first batch of tourists may set foot on the island on July 20.

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In addition to its natural beauty, the boundary marker and the former Russian military camp are expected to attract tourists as well, Bo said.

China and Russia unveiled boundary markers on Heixiazi Island in 2008. Under a bilateral agreement, the half of the 335-square km island close to Fuyuan county, Heilongjiang, belongs to China. The other half belongs to Khabarovsk Krai, Russia.

In November 2010, the two nations' premiers agreed in a joint communique to develop the island together. Both parties hoped to turn the border island into a visa-free eco-tourist zone for leisure travel.

Vitaly Selyukov, director of the tourism department under the division of economic development and overseas liaison of Khabarovsk, said the design plan to develop the island's Russian half had been settled and further negotiations with the Chinese side would finalize construction details.

"I hope tourists can enjoy the customs and cultures of both China and Russia," Selyukov said.