Delegation gives hope to traders

China yesterday urged Russia to protect the interests of Chinese traders after the closure of Moscow's Cherkizovsky Market and the impounding of around $5 billion in goods.

The appeal came one day after 40 Chinese vendors were able to remove impounded stock from the boarded-up site of Russia's largest wholesale market.

"China wants Russia to seek reasonable solutions, within the legal framework of the two countries, and try to reduce Chinese traders' losses," said Vice-Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng via the ministry's website yesterday.