Russia is expected to run a deficit in its trade with China this year, Russian Trade Representative to China Sergei Tsyplakov said recently.

"We need to be ready to see a deficit this year for the first time in the history of Russian-Chinese trade and business relations," he said.

"Chinese statistical reports for the first five months of the year put Russia's surplus in trade with China at only $50 million, while Russian statistical reports indicate that the surplus has disappeared," Tsyplakov said.

"Nothing beyond our expectations has happened in trade between the two countries. Trade has been developing. Trade turnover grew by 30.6% over the first five months of 2007 year-on-year," the official said.

However, "one has to admit that Chinese exports to Russia currently act as the primary driving force in Russian-Chinese trade," he said.

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