19:25 04.06.2026
Alexei Chekunkov: 80% of foreign investment in the Far East comes from China
© RIA Novosti / Alexandr Kryazhev
There are currently 94 projects in the Russian Far East involving Chinese investors, with a total investment volume exceeding one trillion rubles, announced Alexei Chekunkov, Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, during the 29th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“This accounts for approximately 80 percent of all foreign investment attracted through our special economic regimes in the Far East,” he noted in his address.
The minister emphasized that the special conditions created in the region continue to facilitate the active inflow of foreign capital.
“In addition to all the advantages offered by traditional priority development areas, international development territories provide additional protection against external risks, including a confidential participant registry, preferential customs arrangements, and the possibility of reimbursing customs duties on scientific and technical equipment, among other benefits,” Alexei Chekunkov explained.
The minister also noted that cooperation is already expanding into high-tech sectors.
“We highly regard China’s achievements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and pharmaceuticals. At the same time, Russian universities possess significant scientific potential for joint projects. To support this cooperation, an Innovation and Technology Center is being established on Russky Island, where facilities for information technology and biotechnology are currently under construction,” he said.
Amur Region Governor Vasily Orlov also spoke about the progress of Russian-Chinese cooperation at the Russian-Chinese Business Cooperation Competence Center.
“We are actively developing the Amur Transport Corridor project. This includes the operation of the international road bridge, where the border checkpoint was fully commissioned last December. The facility now features 16 lanes for freight transport. In May, a dry port was launched, with an annual handling capacity of 520,000 tons of cargo, expected to increase to щтк million tons by 2030,” he explained.
The governor also noted that a new airport opened in Blagoveshchensk in March and that a cross-border cable car project will soon be launched.
“This will be a truly unique facility on a global scale. We see significant potential for further growth in tourist flows,” Vasily Orlov said.
