The draft diplomatic note proposes amending the agreement providing for the possibility of crossing the Russian-Chinese state border by individuals in private motor vehicles at border crossing points Pogranichny-Suifenhe, Starotsuruhaytuysky-Heishantou, Zabaikalsk-Manchuria and Kraskino-Hunchun, which will contribute to promoting cross-border cooperation between the regions of Russia and China.
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The directive was submitted by Rosgranitsa (Federal Agency for the Development of State Border Infrastructure).
The agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the People's Republic of China on checkpoints on the Russian-Chinese state border of 27 January 1994 (hereinafter referred to as the Agreement) provides for crossing the state border only by freight and passenger motor transport.
Meanwhile, based on a bilateral agreement between the border regions of Russia and China, and subject to limited distance of travel into the territory of the adjacent state, individuals in private motor vehicles are allowed to cross the border at the following state border checkpoints of the Russian Federation — Zabaikalsk and Starotsuruhaytuysky.
The construction (renovation) project for the Kraskino and Pogranichny motor vehicle checkpoints provides for creating infrastructure for crossing the border by individuals travelling in private motor vehicles. The completion of these checkpoints is planned in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
During the meeting of the Working Group on Checkpoints, Sub-Commission on Cooperation in the Sphere of Transport, Commission on Preparing Regular Meetings of Heads of Government of Russia and China, held in Beijing on 24-26 August, an agreement was reached with the Chinese side to amend the agreement in part related to crossing the Russian-Chinese border by private motor transport.
The signed directive instructs the Russian Foreign Ministry to exchange notes on this subject.
The draft note proposes amending the Agreement providing for the possibility of crossing the Russian-Chinese state border by individuals in private motor vehicles at border crossing points Pogranichny - Suifenhe, Starotsuruhaytuysky - Heishantou, Zabaikalsk - Manchuria and Kraskino - Hunchun.
The specific deadline for opening these crossing points to international private vehicle traffic will be determined according to the procedure prescribed by paragraph 3 of Article 2 of the Agreement by way of exchanging notes with the Chinese side through diplomatic channels.
The directive is consistent with the provisions of the Treaty on the Eurasian Economic Union of May 29, 2014, as well as the provisions of other international treaties of the Russian Federation.
The decision will contribute to promoting cross-border cooperation between the regions of Russia and China.