China has proposed to take over two ports in the Russian Far East on long-term lease, Asia Times Online reported. The two ports, Posyet and Zarubino, are close to the Sino- Russian border and plans to upgrade them as an outlet for exports from Jilin province across the Pacific have been under discussion for many years.
Talks had been held up by Russian concern about trade competition, and frustration with the delays had led the Chinese to bring the proposal to the inter-government commission on economic co-operation in the area. Although the commission has yet to discuss it formally, the Russian deputy transport minister said that he was opposed to the scheme. Local government officials, while being in favour of joint ventures with the Chinese, said they would oppose any deal that would give them control of the ports.
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