Bayinchaolu (right), secretary of Jilin provincial Party committee, and the Governor of Russian coastal area (left) signed the agreement of long-term cooperation on May 20. [Photo by Song Kai/ chinajilin.com.cn]

Even though officials from China's Jilin province have just concluded a four-day visit to Russia's Far East, the developments in cooperation are already visible, with Bayinchaolu, provincial Party head who led the delegation commenting on the stronger friendship, more business ties, and mutual development.

The group left Jilin on May 22 and took part in 18 events and exchanges with Russian governors in Jilin's largest visit to Russia ever and got a warm welcome from the Russian officials. They showed a friendlier, more open, and confident Jilin and Bayinchaolu said that the two regions should work together in machine manufacturing, chemical engineering, agriculture, cross-border e-business, and tourism.

Bayinchaolu (left) and the Governor of Khabarovskiy Kray in Russia signed cooperative contract on May 19. [Photo by Song Kai/ chinajilin.com.cn]

One of the highlights of the visit was a meeting with the chief of Russia's Far East Railway Bureau, who said the Russian government valued its international rail port project with the city of Hunchun, Jilin and had decided to put 5 billion rubles ($100 million) into getting the project completed by 2017. Russia has also agreed to handle more types of cargo, coal, timber, grains, minerals and bottled water.

Zhang Haitao, who joined the delegation and is vice-president of Jilin's Northeast Asia Railway Group which is involved in the project, said Russia's active involvement was a breakthrough and that the port would play a key role in China-Russia trade. This is important because the Chinese and Russian presidents have just agreed to work together to join China's Silk Road Economic Belt with the Eurasian Economic Union.

Jilin delegation participates in the trade and tourism fair held in the Russian coastal area, and got 24 projects signed, a total of $1.4 billion, on May 21. [Photo by Song Kai/ chinajilin.com.cn]

Other transportation projects include a cross-border, high-speed line between Jilin and Vladivostok, Russia, and the Zarubino international harbor construction project to connect Jilin with maritime shipping. All of these transportation projects are expected to boost the province's connections with Russia, Korea and the rest of Northeast Asia.

The delegates also took part in international trade and business fairs and expos in Russia, such as the Pacific International Tourism Expo. They visited the coastal area and signed contracts on 24 projects worth $1.4 billion there, and Khabarovskiy Kray, where they got $1.3 billion in contracts in new energy, minerals, timber processing, machine manufacturing, ginseng production and animal husbandry.

Bayinchaolu (second from the right) visits Jilin Taiyuan Farming Technology Development Company that invests $88 million in Russia to build a farming industrial park on May 22. Now 6 enterprises from Jilin have joined the park. [Photo by Song Kai/ chinajilin.com.cn]

Bayinchaolu also visited two Jilin-run enterprises in Russia, on May 22 - the Jilin Huafeng Energy Company and Jilin Taiyuan Farming Technology Development Co - and the Russians said they appreciated the efficiency of the enterprises, and spoke about policies on Jilin investment.

At the same time, Russian newspapers published articles on Jilin and its tourism resources, scenery and folk customs. Just before the visit, on May 21, Russian TV began broadcasting a "China Jilin TV Week" program to introduce the province to the Russian audience, in the Far East, coastal area, and Vladivostok. It included documentaries in Russian on Changbai Mountain, the tribes and tourist spots of Jilin, a microfilm and a TV drama.

The secretary of the coastal area's journalist association said that she was surprised by the TV shows and found them far more beautiful than she expected and that she will visit Changbai Mountain and Chagan Lake, someday, as well as the Changchun FAW auto company and Changchun Film Studio. During the Jilin TV week, news agencies from Jilin and Russia signed cooperation contracts for closer cultural ties.