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Manzhouli, China (CNN) – In Inner Mongolia – the frozen grasslands between China and Russia – it's hard to imagine anything surviving. Yet in the Chinese border town of Manzhouli, business is thriving. Manzhouli is now one of China's busiest land ports, with $10 billion dollars-worth of timber and other goods passing through every year. Traders like Huang Jincai are shipping in Siberian timber, revitalizing this once sleepy outpost. Jincai runs a multi-million dollar business cutting and selling timber all over China – with 10% sales growth every year.
"Without this business, I would just be another laborer," Jincai told CNN’s Eunice Yoon. "I have a house and a car now and the standard of living has improved," he added. "Now more and more people are coming here." Business between Beijing and Moscow hasn't always been this good. Only four decades ago the two nations clashed over this border - a heavily fortified barricade during the Cold War. Yet after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, relations began to thaw. Manzhouli is now home to 300,000 people - a 15-fold jump since the end of the Cold War. Annual trade between China and Russia is now worth more than $55 billion, and China is driving the relationship forward, hoping to further open landlocked Central Asia. It is setting up an economic zone here for factories to process timber and feed the nation's voracious appetite for natural resources. Russian Auto parts dealer Pasha Gulakov has been coming to Manzhouli for a decade. He negotiates deals to buy components in China to sell back in Russia, with little concern for the hostilities of the two nations' past. "Manzhouli feels like home," he said. "I have many friends here." But some argue that Russia is lagging behind in developing its own border towns. "Behind me is Manzhouli's sister town in Russia,” said Gulakov. “You can see there isn't much activity. People on this side of the border complain the Russians aren't doing enough to develop their side." Some businessmen complain that Russians are unpredictable about regulations. Jincai says they should do more, but he's optimistic. "The Chinese government has invested a lot in Manzhouli," he said. "I hope the Russian side will also do the same and invest in its border towns. If they invest more, then our town will grow." |
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I have more salad servers with giraffes on the top than i know what to do with. Can't resist the haggling and bargaining
Enjoying biltong and wakaberry having spent too much on wooden animals at rosebank mall. I always end up dragging this stuff home
. @Eurovision vs. Austerityvision @ErinCNN I suppose...
RT @ErinCNN: this years @Eurovision show cost around 15 million euro. Last year cost around 35 million euro. Per eurovision spox. Less is m…
updated 515 GMT, May 19
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I heard that they cross the border and clear cut the timber at night when no one is watching. And they carry all the rocks they find as well, in case they have rare earths.
to ShadowShw: You are the infamous racist troll of CNN blog.
Lately, there are several hate crime being indicted.
You are well qualified for so many systematic and repeat racist slurs you made on CNN.
Well qualified for internet hate crime, Mr. ShadowSnw. The FBI will trace your IP address from CNN blog, and knock on your door soon.
I'm Chinese and I want a better life than China can give me!
@ CCCP you are not Chinese you are that stupid India troll. 去你妈的印度啊三滚！
Annual trade between China and Russia is now worth more than $55 billion
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This report is good and balanced, and the photo is very nice – giant panda and polar bear are happy together. In the future the high speed rail should be built to Manzhouli (border of Russia), border of Korea, border of central Asia, border of Vietnam, border of Myanmar and border of India; then the trade and tourism would be expanded largely.
The trade between Russia and China is spreading fast; it should exceed 200 billion within 15 years. The trade is benefiting each other on fortune, cultural exchange, progress and also to help forward friendship and peace.
when two elephant meet, the grass will always suffer, looking unto china for fake product and looking unto russia for problems.
to ShadowSnw
You are THE MOST CHILDISH FOREIGNER LIVES IN US you are anti-China because every news about china, you jump into your comments with your poison words you are INSANE!!!!! Im sorry for you because you must be in agony and suffering....
To ShadowSnw,
Your stupidity knows no bounds. Garbage spews from you like water falling over Niagara Falls.
@ ShadowSnw
See, now the anti- troll movement have begin, & you made yourself the main target, now let's just hope that the FBI, CIA or CNN just fire you...or put you in jail for a few days. Maybe then you'll learn how to respect!!!
Lighting engineer played the minds of the masses
http://upload40.com/11675.html
@CCCP: you whine about CHina and u'r nick is Soviet union? LOL!
"Some businessmen complain that Russians are unpredictable about regulations."
Come on,chinese are also quite fames for playing fast & loose with regulations. Most successful business ppl are. The point is not to cross the line,and stay in the gray area.
just wait when they discover oil ! big problem !