For the existence of any organized society requires a certain territory. Moreover, the safety and functioning of these lands should be regulated by state acts. But this, as history shows, is clearly not enough. The security and integrity of a country can only be ensured if its borders are clearly defined and recognized by representatives of the entire world community. That is why territorial disputes remain one of the most important issues in the foreign policy of every state.
The great powers like Russia and China are no exception. Initially, vast desert or sparsely populated territories lay between them. The Great Wall of China was the northern border of the Celestial Empire. Today it stands far from the current border. Moreover, the distance is more than a thousand kilometers. Of course, that was a very long time ago. Thenthe Chinese could not even think that the Amur River on the map would become a watershed line between their state and Russia. Indeed, in those days, these territories were the birthplace of the warlike Manchus. And this people was ethnically far from the Han Chinese - the native Chinese.
The longest border in the world
History has made its own adjustments, and today we can state that Russia and China are two empires that entered the twentieth century as two neighboring countries. The official border between them has existed for more than one hundred and thirty years. In 1860, the signing of the Beijing Treaty took place, in which "from now on and forever" the border of the two states was fixed.
Russia and China are two states with the longest border in the world. This is a line of ten thousand kilometers. It starts from the point of the borders of Russia, China and Afghanistan and ends with the point of neighborhood of Russia, China and Korea.
Border demarcation
The arrangements of the Beijing Agreement of the 19th century have undergone some changes these days. They were revised, that is, they demarcated the borders. This term means the clarification of the existing borders of the two states. The reason for this may be changes in the course of the rivers, the soil layer, etc. However, the demarcation of the Russian-Chinese border occurred due to the revision and revision of the already existing dividing line.
The implementation of these works was only partly caused by natural phenomena. Thus, in the 130 years that have passed since the signing of the Beijing Treaty, the Tumannaya River has changed its course. She began to carry her waters across the territory of Russia. In addition, documentary inaccuracies were revealed in fixing the border signs of both one and the second state.
Eastern border
The frontiers that Russia and China have between them are divided into two zones. The eastern part of the state border starts from the line of their neighborhood with Mongolia. The length of these borders is more than four thousand kilometers.
Despite the Beijing agreements of 1860, the border issue was raised by the two countries more than once. The dividing line between China and Russia has been repeatedly moved by the local authorities and the population of both states. That is why it became necessary to restore the borders the way they were fixed at the signing of various agreements.
History of neighborhood
Almost along its entire length, the eastern border between the two great powers passed and passes today where the Amur River is located on the map, and also where the Argun and Ussuri rivers flow. However, until 1992 this dividing line was not properly demarcated. Until 1931, the border rivers had a free navigation regime. Water resources of both states freely moved along their channels. In addition, the uninhabited numerous river islands were practically jointly owned.
Everything changed after the beginning of the Japanese aggression directed against China, as well as after the creation of the puppet state of Manchukuo. For the Soviet Unionthis was a clear security risk. That is why our state had to establish strict control over the river territory. Initially, this decision did not raise any objections from China. But since the 60s of the last century, tensions began to grow between our countries. That is why Soviet control over the water areas of the border rivers became the main source of incidents.
Disputed Territories
During the negotiations between the USSR and China, the issues of sovereignty of several sections were discussed for a long time. The first of these were two territories in the Chita region. This is a fairly large island located on the Argun River, located forty kilometers southeast of the city of Zabaikalsk. Its significance for Russia is enormous. The island connects our country with China and Mongolia. In addition, this site is the main source of drinking water for the population of the city of Krasnokamensk, on the territory of which almost 90 percent of uranium was produced.
The second disputed area, located in the Chita region, is Menkeseli Island. It became the subject of controversy after the Argun changed its course, turning its course 5 km to the north.
Also, disputes between Russia and China were over two sites in the Khabarovsk Territory. The first of them is Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island. The territory is located directly near Khabarovsk, the largest Russian city in the Far East.
Caused controversy and the island of Tarabarov. It is located near Khabarovsk. This island has a large area. In addition, all aroundthere are a large number of other islets and islands. Many of them are located where the Ussuri River flows into the Amur. Tarabarov Island got its name more than a hundred years ago. Then, in 1912, an industrious peasant settled on its territory with his family and started a farm there. His name was Sergei Maksimovich Tarabarov. Officially, the island was assigned to the Soviet Union in 1929. Bolshoy Ussuriysky is located between the city and it.
The source of border incidents are also three territories in the Primorsky district. This is the site:
- near Lake Khanka;
- P-shaped near Poltavka.
The third area is two small strips of land located north of Lake Khasan.
All of the above zones are important for Russia in economic terms. That is why they were originally under her direct control. In addition, Tarabarov Island and significant territories of Bolshoi Ussuriysky are located in close proximity to Khabarovsk, and therefore, are its protection in the event of an armed attack.
Making final decisions
In 1991, an agreement was signed between the PRC and the Russian Federation, finally formalizing the eastern section of the border. And a year later, demarcation work began on this territory. As a result, the border between the two great powers became clearly marked on the ground. All work was carried out with the participation of a specially created demarcation commission, which included representatives of both states.
First time inhistory from the borders with Mongolia to the river. Foggy was affixed 1184 border pillars. The distance between them is 1.5-3 km, and in a number of places with difficult terrain - 300-500 m. In addition, several hundred kilometers of clearings were cut, and a large number of obsolete engineering structures were dismantled. Affected demarcation work and river areas. A large amount of hydrographic measurements were carried out in the border areas of the Amur and Ussuri, and buoys were installed in the equator of Lake Khanka.
Demarcation work turned out to be not only time-consuming, but also a very difficult process. So, the local Russian residents of the island of China, located on the border, were considered primordially Russian territory. After all, they used these lands for their economic purposes. Nevertheless, all the work was carried out in accordance with the agreements signed between the two countries. The successful resolution of issues has become a great contribution to strengthening friendship between Russia and China, as well as strengthening stability in the region.
Completion of demarcation
An important event in the history of relations between Russia and China took place in the autumn of 2004. On October 14, another agreement on the passage of the eastern borders was signed in Beijing. It marked the end of territorial disputes between the two countries.
According to the signed agreement, Tarabarov Island and part of Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island went to China.
History of the controversial issue
The one who owns Tarabarov Island and part ofBig Ussuri, Russia and China could not solve since 1964. It was then that the territorial dispute between the two great powers began, which was never fully resolved.
In order to get both one and the second river island, the Chinese started an irrigation war against the USSR. It consisted in the regular flooding of barges with sand in the Kazakevicheva channel. The purpose of such work was to direct the channel to the islands and connect it to the Chinese coast. In this case, the islands of Bolshoi Ussuriysky and Tarabarov would automatically be in the territory of the Celestial Empire. But this idea was failed, as the Russians constantly deepened the bottom of the Amur and strengthened its banks. And only the 2004 agreement put an end to the long irrigation war.
What did China get?
According to the signed agreements, Russia transferred the Tarabarov Island to the neighboring state. They also gave China the western part of Bolshoy Ussuri (it was divided approximately equally). Today, these territories are the province of Heilongjiang.
How is the current border? After part of the Bolshoy Ussuriysky, as well as the island of Tarabarov, was given to China, the border between the two countries began to pass along the coastal part of Khabarovsk. Moreover, the dachas of local residents, located on Bolshoi Ussuriysky, remained on the Russian side. The rest went to the Chinese. In total, Russia gave the neighboring state 337 square kilometers of its area.
What has changed since the transfer of territory?
To date, Fr. Tarabarov andpart of the Great Ussuriysky is the islands of China. The neighboring state has become closer to Khabarovsk at once by fifty kilometers. Previously, Bolshoi Ussuriysky defended Russia from a military attack. There was a fortified area on its territory. To date, the military has left all engineering facilities and moved to a new outpost.
The main attraction of Bolshoi Ussuriysky is an Orthodox chapel built in honor of St. Victor. The Chinese treated our religious shrine with understanding and moved the border line away from the temple.
Today, the territories given by Russia, according to the agreement of 2004, are the province of Heilongjiang, Fuyuan County. Russian islands Tarabarov and Bolshoi Ussuriysky - about. Yinpundao and about. Heixiangzidao.
From the south to the north, the main highway has already been built on these lands. Along its western side, there is an active construction of the "Easternmost Pagoda". This is a multi-storey tower, reaching a height of 81 m, having a square shape. Its architecture is in the style of the Tang and Han dynasties. The pagoda, which will stand just opposite the chapel of St. Victor, will act as a vivid symbol of the territory received by China. The tower is so high that you can see it from the Russian village, located in the floodplain of the Amur.
It is worth mentioning that the easternmost point of China has changed its geographical position. Previously, she was in the village of Wusu, and now she has moved to the island of Heixiangzi. As a result, the Chinese began to meet the rising sun for fifty-eight seconds.earlier.
The islands are actively visited by tourists from both countries. For example, in 2015, the number of travelers was about half a million.
Natural resources of the transferred territories
Tarabarova Island, like Bolshoi Ussuriysky, has rich lands. Up to seventy percent of their areas can be used as pastures, hayfields and arable land. In addition, fur-bearing animals, as well as ungulates and waterfowl live on the islands. There are species on these lands that are listed in the Red Books of the USSR, Russia and the International Union. Their list includes: Japanese and black cranes, black storks, sukhonos, mandarin ducks, Far Eastern leatherback turtles, etc.
Floodplain lakes, as well as the waters of the Amur River and its channels are rich in fish. There are also protected species. These are Chinese perch-auha and black carp. Autumn chum salmon and lamprey make their migratory movements around the islands.
Yes, rich lands have been transferred to China. However, the Russian side believes that in economic terms it has not suffered significant losses. Our country has big plans. They suggest the creation of a joint Russian-Chinese trade zone in these territories. This will provide normal conditions for trade between Heilongjiang Province and the Khabarovsk Territory. And today, the federal budget has already begun to provide funding for the construction of a bridge from Khabarovsk to Heixiangzi Island.
