Heixiazi Island opens to tourists
Source: Xinhua |
July 21, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A total of 150 Chinese tourists landed yesterday morning on the Chinese part of Heixiazi Island, a Sino-Russian border island in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province.
The 335-square-kilometer island was the last disputed area along the Sino-Russian border, and Chinese were not allowed on the island for more than 80 years.
However, as the result of a recent border settlement agreement between China and Russia, half of the island now belongs to China, with the other half going to Russia.
A border redrawing ceremony was held on the island on October 14, 2008, with 171 square kilometers of the island's territory and nearby waters going to China.
The agreement clarified the 4,300 kilometer border shared by China and Russia.
The peaceful solution was achieved via bilateral concessions after 40 years of negotiations.
The peaceful, fair and equal negotiations set a positive example of how to solve international disputes.
The two sides have agreed to jointly develop the island into an eco-tourism zone, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between the Chinese and Russian prime ministers in November 2010.
There are currently two tours designed for the island: a six-hour ship tour and a land tour, which includes major attractions such as a former Russian military camp and a commemorative area for the signing of the 2008 Sino-Russian agreement.
Tourists can also visit China's easternmost border guard post in Wusu County and watch an early sunrise.
"I'm so lucky to be part of the first group of tourists to visit Heixiazi," said Yu Zaifu, a resident of Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang.
"I have been longing for this moment for quite a long time, and today I finally made it," Yu said.
"I saw the forests, meadows and marshes, as well as the border stone and the Russian Church. I will definitely enjoy bringing my family here," Yu said.
Harbin resident Liu Liping, 73, the oldest member of the tour group, said: "The island is beautiful. I'm proud to witness its return to China."
China and Russia also reached an agreement on how to protect and develop the island, with ecological protection taking top priority.
A planned wetland nature reserve will eventually cover an area of 131 square kilometers, or 75 percent of the Chinese share of the island.
The 335-square-kilometer island was the last disputed area along the Sino-Russian border, and Chinese were not allowed on the island for more than 80 years.
However, as the result of a recent border settlement agreement between China and Russia, half of the island now belongs to China, with the other half going to Russia.
A border redrawing ceremony was held on the island on October 14, 2008, with 171 square kilometers of the island's territory and nearby waters going to China.
The agreement clarified the 4,300 kilometer border shared by China and Russia.
The peaceful solution was achieved via bilateral concessions after 40 years of negotiations.
The peaceful, fair and equal negotiations set a positive example of how to solve international disputes.
The two sides have agreed to jointly develop the island into an eco-tourism zone, according to a joint statement issued after a meeting between the Chinese and Russian prime ministers in November 2010.
There are currently two tours designed for the island: a six-hour ship tour and a land tour, which includes major attractions such as a former Russian military camp and a commemorative area for the signing of the 2008 Sino-Russian agreement.
Tourists can also visit China's easternmost border guard post in Wusu County and watch an early sunrise.
"I'm so lucky to be part of the first group of tourists to visit Heixiazi," said Yu Zaifu, a resident of Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang.
"I have been longing for this moment for quite a long time, and today I finally made it," Yu said.
"I saw the forests, meadows and marshes, as well as the border stone and the Russian Church. I will definitely enjoy bringing my family here," Yu said.
Harbin resident Liu Liping, 73, the oldest member of the tour group, said: "The island is beautiful. I'm proud to witness its return to China."
China and Russia also reached an agreement on how to protect and develop the island, with ecological protection taking top priority.
A planned wetland nature reserve will eventually cover an area of 131 square kilometers, or 75 percent of the Chinese share of the island.
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