China-Russia boundary markers unveiled

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-10-14 11:47

FUYUAN, Heilongjiang -- China and Russia held a ceremony at Heixiazi Island on Tuesday to unveil the boundary markers for eastern section of China-Russia boundary.

An undated file photo of a church on Heixiazi Island (Bolshoi Ussuriysky Island) at the confluence of Heilongjiang River and Wusulijiang River that serve as a natural border between China and Russia. China will restore sovereign control over half of Heixiazi Island from Russia from October 14, 2008 after the two countries jointly unveil a stone monument on the Island. Heixiazi Island was occupied by the former Soviet Union during a 1929 border skirmish. [CFP]

Ambassador with the Chinese Foreign Ministry Zhao Xidi and Vladimir Malyshev, deputy director of the Russian Foreign Ministry First Asian Department jointly unveiled the boundary markers.

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Representatives from the two countries' departments of foreign affairs, national defense, public security and localities also attended the ceremony.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry and Russian Foreign Ministry on Tuesday also confirmed, through an exchange of notes, that the additional protocal between China and Russia on the eastern section of the China-Russia Boundary as well as its appendix have officially taken effect.

The frontier guards of the two countries have started defense work in accordance with the boundaries surveyed and demarcated by both sides.