Economy of Regions

Mutual payments between Russian and Chinese banks: a geoeconomic aspect

Kirill V. Babaev — 2025-09-04

In 2024, cooperation between Russian and Chinese banks faced significant challenges from sanction pressures, differences in financial systems, and divergent regulatory requirements. Most Chinese banks stopped accepting payments from Russian companies not only in global currencies such as the US dollar and euro, but also in national currencies — the renminbi and the rouble. Definitive solution to the payment problem between Russia and China still remains elusive, even as bilateral trade expands and their strategic partnership endures. Given Washington’s policy of “dual containment” towards both states, the issue also has a pronounced geoeconomic dimension, as restrictions on payments represent a key instrument of US foreign policy pressure and a means of maintaining dominance in global trade. This article examines the payment difficulties between the two countries’ banking systems, explores their causes from geopolitical and geoeconomic perspectives, outlines the responses of Russian and Chinese authorities, and considers potential solutions. Special attention is devoted to the role of sanctions and their influence on Chinese financial policy. The study evaluates possible governmental and business measures, such as currency clearing platforms, national digital currency settlements, and SWIFT-like alternative messaging systems. It is shown that the use of national digital currencies may be the most effective solution, protecting Russia–China trade and enabling the creation of a new BRICS trade framework.

Trajectory, Current Situation, and Prospects of Financial Cooperation among BRICS Countries

Chao Ding — 2025-09-04

Financial collaboration is key to advancing economic ties within the BRICS group. The article reviews academic studies from China, Russia, and other countries, tracing the main themes that have interested researchers in relation to BRICS since its beginning. The number of studies surged sharply in 2014–2015 and again after 2022, which is a trend that is closely linked to the financial sanctions imposed by the US and European countries against Russia. Scholars generally hold a positive outlook on the prospects for financial cooperation within BRICS, emphasizing that sanctions and counter-sanctions have brought to the forefront the need for deeper cooperation. The article reviews financial cooperation over the past fifteen years and highlights Russia’s financial agenda as the current chair. The BRICS Bridge initiative supports the member countries’ shared goal of building a financial system independent of the US and Europe. It represents a new and important step toward reforming the global economic and financial system. Its implementation, however, faces significant internal and external challenges. The study concludes that financial cooperation has always been important for BRICS, but as the group grows, it has become harder to reach agreement, making cooperation more difficult to carry out. In 2025, financial cooperation will remain a key focus under Brazil’s presidency, but the potential re-election of Trump and his use of trade policy tools have introduced new instability to the global economic landscape. Furthermore, Trump’s threat of “de-dollarization” among BRICS countries is expected to add further complications to financial cooperation efforts.

Financial Cooperation in the SCO Amid Intensifying Regional Integration

Wenhong Xu — 2025-09-04

Following three rounds of expansion, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has become the world’s largest comprehensive regional cooperation organization in terms of territory and population. Finance is the lifeblood of modern economies, underpinning economic development and regional stability. Financial cooperation in regional organizations serves as a key driver of economic integration, coordinated development, and enhanced international competitiveness. This study examines financial cooperation among SCO member states, focusing on major initiatives and achievements, and reviews the Organization’s development, mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities. It analyses the SCO’s role in promoting regional financial stability and economic growth, highlighting key mechanisms such as regional financial security, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, and local currency settlements. Despite challenges, including economic disparities among members and external uncertainties, the SCO can advance regional financial cooperation through multilateral mechanisms and financial innovation. The study provides a comprehensive assessment of existing resources, evaluates the potential of current intra-SCO mechanisms, and identifies both well-established and emerging areas of collaboration. By offering a panoramic view of financial cooperation within the SCO, this research summarizes past achievements and outlines pathways for future development.

Russian–Chinese Foreign Economic Relations: An Intersectoral Analysis

Alexander V. Kotov — 2025-09-04

The transformation of Russia’s foreign economic relations has turned China into its key trading partner. This article examines the ongoing reconfiguration of bilateral economic ties in the context of an evolving strategic partnership, the emergence of economic blocs, and the search for new areas of cooperation. The analysis applies system-based, intersectoral, and structural methods to explore foreign trade dynamics between the two countries. Using the 21-sector FIGARO model, the study traces the growing interdependence of their economies. Findings indicate that while political relations have reached a high level, this has not yet translated into a corresponding depth of economic integration. Russia’s economic involvement is most pronounced in intersectoral supplies of intermediate goods. Meanwhile, China’s economy remains largely self-sufficient, despite a modest increase in sectoral dependencies on Russia. The analysis of investment clusters, consumption, gross output, and direct cost coefficients shows that Russia and China are following a relatively fixed path in their bilateral economic relations, which continue to develop at a slow pace. Russia’s dependence on Chinese technologies and markets may increase if the current pattern of interaction remains unchanged. Sanctions further reinforce this trend, as Chinese businesses are cautious about engaging with Russia. Nonetheless, there are opportunities to strengthen production cooperation, driven by both external factors, such as the U.S.–China trade conflict, and bilateral initiatives, including joint projects in the Arctic and collaboration within the EAEU. Developing a balanced, strategically deep economic partnership with China could serve as a test case for strengthening cooperation with other friendly nations, enhancing the long-term resilience of the Russian economy. The article’s findings may be of particular interest to scholars and policymakers in foreign economic relations.

Expanding Russia-China Economic Integration Cooperation through Special Economic Zones

Elena V. Sapir — 2025-09-04

In the context of a polycentric global economy, the issue of economic integration between Russia and China gains increasing relevance. This study aims to identify key areas of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and assess the potential role of special economic zones (SEZs) in the creation of a future Russia-China free trade zone. The central hypothesis suggests that while current economic cooperation lays important groundwork for deeper integration, it also faces significant limitations and barriers. Using statistical analysis, the study evaluates the level of trade and economic ties between Russia and China through indicators such as import penetration, trade intensity, and trade entropy for both exports and imports. Results indicate that integrative cooperation is gradually strengthening: the generalized integration index increased by 43 percentage points between 2000 and 2023. However, marked asymmetries remain—Russia exports 77 % raw materials to China, while China exports 94 % industrial goods to Russia. Additionally, differences in investment and industrial development are evident: China has 14 times more special economic zones than Russia. These disparities hinder progress from trade cooperation toward full economic integration. Coordination of national policies on SEZ development, especially through reliance on global value chains, could support deeper integration and pave the way for a Russia-China free trade zone. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers in both countries to guide the development of SEZs and support discussions on expanding economic integration.

Sino-African Trade Relations: A Factor Analysis in the Context of the Transformation of the Global Trading System

Lyudmila V. Shkvarya — 2025-09-04

Since trade between China and African countries has become crucial for both sides and the global economy and is now experiencing significant changes, this study seeks to identify the main characteristics and trends of Sino-African trade and to predict how these relations will develop in the future. The hypothesis is that the ongoing transformation of the global trading system directly affects the volume and structure of Sino-African trade. The analysis employs comparative and statistical methods, including ARMA and ARIMA models, to assess future prospects. The study draws on international statistical databases and analytical materials from expert organizations. The authors examine the dynamics and structure of Sino-African trade between 2000 and 2023 and find that the transformation of the global trading system is influencing the scale, dynamics, and structure of Sino-African trade, while persistent geographical, commodity-related, structural, and financial imbalances remain. The findings suggest that, amid increasing global instability and rising competition for African resources, it is crucial for China to support Africa’s socio-economic development as a means of expanding exports to the “golden” continent. The study holds both academic and practical relevance for China, African countries, and Russia, offering insights into the mechanisms, patterns, and constraints of foreign trade cooperation with Africa in the evolving global trade landscape.

Planning Foreign Trade Cooperation between Russia and China with a Focus on the Development of Regional Research Infrastructure

Tatyana S. Novikova Novikova — 2025-09-04

This study responds to the rising need for effective planning tools to support foreign trade policy amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a more fragmented global economy in today’s multipolar world. The article comprises two parts. The first part analyses Russia–China foreign trade between 2013 and 2023. While trade volumes have grown rapidly, the structure has remained largely unchanged— it is characterized by Russia’s continued reliance on raw material exports and a high share of engineering goods in imports from China. As both countries transition toward the sixth technological paradigm, there is a pressing need to reorient foreign trade toward high-tech and highly processed exports, drawing on their respective scientific and technological capabilities. The second part examines how revising the indicative planning approach, with a focus on competitive regional research infrastructure (RI) projects at the microeconomic level, can contribute to this transformation. The core hypothesis is that such RI projects could stimulate the development of foreign trade between Russia and China. To evaluate this potential, the study proposes three interrelated models: (1) a financial and economic model of RI project implementation; (2) an extended intersectoral, multiregional input–output model incorporating a technological column for RI development; and (3) a foreign trade model capturing bilateral trade flows. The case of “Akademgorodok 2.0” (2013–2030) is used to illustrate how RI-driven production of high-tech goods could reshape trade dynamics. This integrated modelling toolkit can be used for scenario-based experiments aligned with long-term trends in scientific and technological development. Preliminary results suggest that by 2030, Russia’s export structure could shift notably toward engineering and chemical products, bringing it more in line with the innovation paths of technologically advanced trade partners.

Opening Remarks from the Editor-in-Chief

Yulia G. Lavrikova — 2025-09-04

Economy of Regions enjoys a wide international readership, is highly cited in national and international
databases, and holds a leading position among Russian economic journals. The journal maintains its
tradition of publishing special issues, which provide a platform for in-depth examination of pressing
research questions with contributions from leading experts as authors, reviewers, and readers. Special
issue, Prospects for Geo-economic Partnership between Russia and China, is a unique thematic edition
prepared with the collaboration of Russian and Chinese scholars.

Guest Editor's Introduction

Sun Zhuangzhi — 2025-09-04

In todays international environment, China and Russia offer a distinct model of major-power relations. As the worlds largest neighbouring countries, they share an extensive land border of 4,300 kilometres. Their historical paths have been intertwined for centuries, yet it is only over the past three decades that they have built genuinely equal and neighbourly relations. Both countries look to the future, carrying the responsibility for national rejuvenation and seeking to promote multipolarity and the democratization of international relations. From the end of the complex Cold War period and the normalization of relations to the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership, bilateral cooperation has followed a remarkable trajectory, becoming a model for new relations between major powers.

Carbon Emissions: Impact on Economic Structure, Energy Policy and Climate — Case Studies of China and Russia

Rong Gao — 2025-09-04

In the face of escalating climate challenges, CO₂ reduction has become a central objective of sustainable development, particularly for countries such as China and Russia, which follow distinct economic and energy paths. This paper aims to conduct a comparative analysis of the impact of economic structural transformation, energy policy evolution, and global climate governance mechanisms on CO₂ emission dynamics. The study tests three hypotheses: (H1) structural adjustment reduces emissions; (H2) energy policy produces divergent effects; and (H3) global mechanisms affect countries differently. The empirical analysis draws on panel data from 2000–2023, covering GDP per capita (GDPpc), the shares of fossil energy (FE) and renewable energy (RE), economic structure (IS), and a dummy variable for the presence of an emissions trading system (CT). Fixed-effects estimations reveal that in China, GDPpc has a strong positive effect on emissions (â = 0.415–0.591, p < 0.01), while structural reforms and the carbon market significantly reduce them. In Russia, the GDPpc effect is weak (â = 0.01–0.049), structural variables are statistically insignificant, and a national carbon market is absent. China is pursuing a more proactive energy transition strategy, characterized by a rising share of renewables and reduced reliance on fossil fuels. The study showcases the need for stronger economic incentives and greater international cooperation in carbon regulation.

International Aid for Water Supply and Sanitation in Africa: China’s Spatial Strategies and Opportunities for Russia

Ruslan V. Dmitriev — 2025-09-04

Access to clean water is a key priority in the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Progress toward these goals relies on both domestic funding and international assistance. This study explores the spatial dynamics of financing water supply and sanitation projects funded by China’s public sector across Africa from 2000 to 2023. Using data from AidData’s Global Chinese Development Finance Dataset (version 3.0), the research analyses project funding volumes and their spatial distribution at the first-order administrative level. Applying central place theory, the study maps the spatial hierarchy and development of the project network. African countries are categorized into three groups—competition, division of spheres of influence, and cooperation—based on the potential for complementary project financing by multiple donors within the same country. The cooperation group, consisting of 12 countries, represents promising opportunities for Russia to initiate new water projects alongside current Chinese investments. The study also estimates the minimum funding required for each new project and its optimal administrative location. While additional factors may raise implementation costs, coordinated efforts between Russia and China could establish a novel model of international aid to address Africa’s water challenges.

Geo-Economic Priorities and New Emphasis in the Partnership between China and Russia in Changing World Order

Poling Xu — 2025-09-04

The constant overlap of traditional and non-traditional security risks has turned the volatility of the world order into an urgent international concern. How do China and Russia perceive and respond to this challenge? This article synthesizes key concepts and historical experiences, clarifies the framework for studying the world order, and examines the geo-economic priorities of China and Russia alongside the emerging focus of their partnership in the evolving global context. We argue that the hegemonic practices of the United States and the West, shaped by a conflict-oriented vision of the world order, have driven the regionalization of the world economy and increased the significance of geo-economic cooperation. In response, China and Russia are actively adjusting their geo-economic priorities. In the long term, cooperation between the two countries is likely to flourish, built on a solid foundation of shared vision, favourable timing, geographic advantages, and dedicated partners. These factors extend beyond mere technicalities of finance and transportation, playing a decisive role in sustaining long-term collaboration. The two states should work to fully leverage the potential of their geo-economic partnership and its global demonstration effect to promote the globalization of regional economies through multilateral cooperation, enhance the international system, and contribute to the establishment of a multipolar world order that is equitable, stable, just, and reasonable.

Prospects for the Development of Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Partnership Between Russia and China and Its Impact on the Growth Potential of the BRICS Union

Askar A. Akaev — 2025-09-04

Due to the shifting balance of power in global politics and the economy, the partnership between Russia and China plays a key role in shaping a new multipolar system. The expansion of cooperation between the two countries contributes not only to their socio-economic development and technological sovereignty but also to the strengthening of the BRICS union as an alternative centre of global governance. Effective cooperation between Russia and China in foreign policy plays an important role in global affairs. It supports the sustainable development of the international community, helps build a fair multipolar world order, and strengthens democratic principles in international relations. Member countries can benefit from the establishment of Technology Sharing Platforms (TSPs) and centres of technological expertise within the BRICS+ framework to accelerate both technological progress and economic growth. To evaluate the long-term impact of these developments, a mathematical model has been constructed to forecast GDP growth, incorporating the use of TSPs and investment resources in key BRICS economies. The model is built on a production function that includes demographic variables and total factor productivity, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of growth potential under different cooperation scenarios. When tested using historical data from 1960 to 2023, the model demonstrated a high level of accuracy (R² greater than 0.97), making it a reliable tool for analysing the economic dynamics of BRICS+ countries. Long-term forecasts for the new BRICS+ members, including Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia, indicate steady economic growth supported by stronger economic integration and technology transfer. The projected growth of the BRICS+ bloc, compared to the G7, indicates the potential for faster economic expansion over the next decade, which could strengthen the role of BRICS+ in shaping a fairer, multipolar world order. The model offers valuable insights for strategic planning and assessing the bloc’s economic potential in technological and investment cooperation.

The Role of Russia and China in Shaping the Integration Contours of the Greater Eurasian Partnership

Elena L. Andreeva — 2025-09-04

In light of Russia’s goal to strengthen economic ties with EAEU members and key partners, an essential research task is to examine how the resources of Greater Eurasian Partnership (GEP) participants complement each other, as resource complementarity directly shapes the partnership’s integration patterns. This study aims to substantiate the key contours of GEP integration and assess the respective contributions of Russia and China to its development. The underlying hypothesis is that their cooperation acts as a driving force behind the GEP. The GEP is conceptualized as a distinctive form of “civilizational partnership,” which enhances the roles of Russia and China in the Eurasian space. Using methods of economic-geographical, statistical, historical, and logical analysis, the study systematizes EAEU agreements with external partners and examines the geographical and sectoral contours of the GEP. It also evaluates the roles of Russia and China within this framework. The study demonstrates how Russia and China are advancing an inter-civilizational partnership across Eurasia. It identifies the levels of integration intensity across key spheres of cooperation within the GEP: natural resources and energy, food, technology, human capital, R&D, infrastructure, and monetary-financial systems. The analysis highlights significant economic complementarity between Russia and China, alongside a notable imbalance favouring China. This disparity is especially pronounced in the technological sector, where China holds 69.9 % of manufacturing capacities compared to Russia’s 4.1 %; in R&D, with China accounting for 95.4 % of patent applications versus Russia’s 1.3 %; and in infrastructure, where China controls 60.6 % of container port traffic compared to Russia’s 1.2 %. These integration advantages should be harnessed to shape the future development of the GEP. In order to achieve this, it is necessary to redefine Russian-Chinese cooperation by taking into account each country’s economic strengths and to leverage advanced manufacturing technologies that enhance energy, food, technological, and infrastructure security. These findings may inform policy planning and economic cooperation strategies between Russia and its international partners.

Development Institutions and the Pursuit of Technological Sovereignty: A Comparative Study of China and Russia

Jing Jiang — 2025-09-04

Countries increasingly rely on development institutions to enhance the technological capacity of their national economies and secure technological sovereignty. This study seeks to develop a conceptual framework for achieving collective technological sovereignty between Russia and China, taking into account their different positions within the global digital hierarchy. It also aims to identify Chinese institutional practices that could be effectively adapted for use in Russia. The analysis confirms two hypotheses: (1) that collective technological sovereignty is attainable despite the asymmetry in global positioning between Russia and China; and (2) that China’s technological advancement has been significantly supported by its development institutions. The study’s theoretical contribution includes a set of principles for collective technological sovereignty. Methodologically, the study follows a three-stage comparative framework: (1) content analysis of national technological development strategies; (2) identification of key development institutions; and (3) assessment of institutional effectiveness. The findings suggest that a shared theoretical understanding among Chinese and Russian experts contributes to the formation of a joint technological framework grounded in compatible institutional conditions. Both countries have established systems of technological development institutions with distinctive national features. In China, a multi-level institutional framework tailored to industries at varying stages of technological maturity has contributed to its rise in the global hierarchy. The application of specific Chinese approaches may enable Russia to move closer to technological leadership.

Approaches to Achieving Technological Sovereignty in the European Union, Russia, and China: Theory and Practice

Elena V. Ponomarenko — 2025-09-04

In recent years, technological sovereignty, its constituent elements, and the pathways to achieving it have become a central focus of academic discussion both internationally and in Russia. For Russia, the issue has become especially important in the face of sanctions imposed to restrict access to advanced technologies, the outcomes of international research, and broader global cooperation. This article examines both the theoretical foundations and practical dimensions of achieving technological sovereignty in the EU, Russia, and China. It identifies distinct strategic patterns: the EU’s emphasis on multilateral cooperation, Russia’s reliance on domestic capabilities, and China’s strategy of technology acquisition followed by domestic adaptation and scaling. The study relies on content analysis and a retrospective review of empirical materials, including international rankings (competitiveness, innovation capacity, cybersecurity, etc.), strategic and regulatory policy documents from the given countries, as well as analytical reports and scholarly publications (2014–2024). It proposes a conceptual model of technological sovereignty comprising four universal structural components: (1) emerging technologies, (2) a scientific and production base supported by innovation infrastructure, (3) effective state-led economic policy instruments, and (4) exclusive national resources (natural, intellectual, and financial). While these core elements remain constant, the mechanisms for their implementation differ depending on the specific developmental conditions of each state. The findings provide a foundation for further cross-national analysis of technological sovereignty as a driver of industrial and innovation capacity among the world’s leading economies.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Advancing Agricultural Technologies within the Russia–China Institutional Partnership

Svetlana G. Pyankova — 2025-09-04

Digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are playing an increasingly important role in promoting sustainable agricultural development. This is especially clear in the context of institutional cooperation between Russia and China, where agriculture remains a key economic sector. However, despite this significance, the impact of AI and digital technologies on agriculture through interstate collaboration still remains underexplored. This study analyses and forecasts the level of digitalization and AI adoption in the agricultural sectors of Russia and China, while assessing the potential to deepen institutional cooperation. It identifies key factors driving digital transformation in agriculture and projects technology adoption trends through 2035. The methodological framework is grounded in multivariate regression models, which evaluate the influence of infrastructural, economic, social, and technological factors on agricultural digitalization. The analysis is based on 12 indicators of agricultural development in Russia and China from 2013 to 2023, with particular attention to infrastructure and digital metrics. Linear and polynomial regressions were used to model indicator dynamics, and a composite digitalization index was developed using multiple regression. The findings show that China has achieved a high degree of digitalization in agriculture, driven by strong government support, widespread 5G infrastructure, and the integration of IoT technologies. Agricultural automation in China has reached 45%, with projections suggesting an increase to 50% by 2030—potentially boosting productivity by 20–25%. In Russia, the expansion of digital infrastructure lays the groundwork for greater adoption of AI and precision farming technologies, with anticipated productivity gains of 15–20% by 2030. These results may inform national strategies for agricultural digitalization, shape state agricultural policies, and support the implementation of joint Russia–China projects under initiatives such as BRICS+.

Traditional and Emerging Chinese Migration in the Labour Market of Sverdlovsk Oblast (Russia): A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis

Elena B. Bedrina — 2025-09-04

The expanding cultural and economic ties between Russia and China have increased the influx of Chinese labour migrants into various Russian regions, including Sverdlovsk Oblast. Recently, this region has seen growing migration flows from northeastern Chinese provinces. This study aims to identify the employment characteristics and adaptation strategies of Chinese migrants in the labour market, focusing on Yekaterinburg—the city with the largest number of migrants from distant foreign countries. The methodology combines empirical data from official sources with insights from semi-structured interviews conducted in Chinese among migrants who arrived in September–October 2024 and January 2025. Findings highlight the university’s dual role: as an educational institution training highly skilled personnel and as an employer facilitating migrant adaptation through modern, intellectual employment opportunities. The research distinguishes between two types of Chinese labour migration: “traditional,” consisting primarily of low- and medium-skilled workers concentrated around the urban clothing market, and “new,” composed of young Chinese migrants pursuing or having completed education at Russian universities while actively participating in the labour market. The study identified two main adaptation patterns: “traditional” migrants generally experience segregation, whereas “new” migrants are more inclined toward integration. Both groups demonstrate high adaptive capacity and exhibit entrepreneurial characteristics. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of Chinese migration and may support further development of Russia-China cooperation.

Effects of Socio-Economic Factors on Healthy Diets in the Healthy China 2030 Program: A Grey Relational Analysis of Eastern Provinces

Gao Hongjie — 2025-09-04

The Healthy China 2030 strategy explicitly calls for integrating health considerations into all policies and promotes a shift toward healthier diets across the entire Chinese population through cross-sectoral institutional collaboration. This paper uses Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) to examine the correlation between per capita consumption of vegetables and edible fungi, which is used as an indicator of healthy living, in eastern China and several influencing factors: consumption tax policies, education levels, economic development, and income levels. The analysis reveals that the retail price index for beverages, tobacco, and alcohol, which reflects the impact of consumption tax policies, has the strongest correlation (r₁ = 0.8113). This suggests that price increases in tobacco and alcohol significantly influence healthier food consumption through a crowding-out effect. The second-highest correlation is with the number of students enrolled in regular higher education institutions (r₃ = 0.7930), indicating that educational attainment fosters healthier behavioural choices via knowledge diffusion and social network spillovers. In contrast, per capita regional GDP (r₄ = 0.5579) and per capita disposable income (r₂ = 0.5512) show weaker correlations. This may point to diminishing marginal utility and structural imbalances in healthy consumption within more economically developed areas. Overall, the study highlights the leverage of consumption tax instruments in advancing public health goals and proposes a three-pronged governance framework—tax system optimization, education empowerment, and policy coordination—as a theoretical foundation for the regional implementation of the Healthy China strategy.

Infrastructure Projects as the Basis for Connectivity and China’s New Spatial Framework

Viacheslav E. Seliverstov — 2025-09-04

Russia and China share a similar trend in political and economic thinking as the role of space is undergoing re-evaluation. Once seen as a burden demanding immense resources to manage across vast territories, space is now increasingly regarded as a key strategic asset. This shift stems from a deliberate state approach combining spatial planning, structural investment, and infrastructure development. The purpose of this article is to examine the specific features of China’s spatial development, the role of its infrastructure projects and cross-border interactions, and to assess the potential applicability of Chinese experience to Russia. The study employs a systematic approach, combining chronological, factorial, and structural analysis with comparative-historical methods, as well as the examination of contemporary policy documents on PRC development, recent statistics, and works by Chinese scholars and experts. The research hypothesis is that infrastructure development, cross-border interactions, and institutional conditions play a decisive role in shaping China’s modernisation model of spatial development. This hypothesis is supported by the analysis of infrastructure projects as the foundation of connectivity and the new spatial framework of China in three key areas: 1) the creation of a modern multimodal transportation and logistics system; 2) the development of a comprehensive system of hydraulic structures regulating national water use; and 3) the expansion of digital connectivity infrastructure. These initiatives have delivered substantial multiplier effects, driving economic growth, creating millions of jobs, advancing cutting-edge technologies, and culminating in the construction of the world’s largest high-speed rail network. However, institutional factors and conditions remain the weakest link in the anticipated modernisation of both the Chinese and Russian development models and their spatial components. Chinese analysts emphasise this issue, particularly in relation to the implementation of development strategies for the PRC’s macro-regions, especially the Northeastern macro-region. It is concluded that China’s strategic orientation and practical achievements illustrate a development model that Russia, and especially its key macro-region Siberia, should pursue.

Sino-Russian Cooperation in the Far East in the Context of the “Openness to the North” and “Turn to the East” Strategies

Jixiang Gao — 2025-09-04

The Far East serves as a key frontier for Sino-Russian cooperation, shaped by the complementary strategies of China’s “Openness to the North” and Russia’s “Turn to the East,” focused on engaging with China and other Asian partners. The Far East plays a crucial role in aligning development with China’s northeastern provinces. Empirical evidence shows that trade and investment cooperation between the Far East and China is expanding rapidly. However, Chinese companies face several challenges in the Far Eastern regions, including payment and currency risks, frequent legislative changes, explicit and implicit restrictions on foreign investors, inconsistent standards, and limited experience in international cooperation. The article concludes that promoting Sino-Russian cooperation in the Far East requires coordinated efforts from think tanks, federal and local governments, and businesses in both countries. Key measures include developing a top-level plan, promoting standardization, targeting priority areas of cooperation, strengthening cooperation platforms, establishing cross-border production chains and industrial cooperation zones, and jointly resolving settlement issues. The findings are relevant to a wide range of stakeholders interested in interregional cooperation between Russia and China, including federal and local authorities, businesses, and research communities. They can serve as practical guidance for implementing measures that advance regional cooperation at both federal and local levels.

Factors of Russian Regions’ Investment Attractiveness for Chinese Investors

Vilena A. Yakimova — 2025-09-04

Economic collaboration between Russian regions and China is increasing amid ongoing geopolitical challenges. With limited ties to most European countries, Russian regions are pursuing a “pivot to the East,” seeking investment opportunities primarily through Russian-Chinese projects. It is, therefore, an urgent task to identify the factors attracting Chinese FDI to Russian regions The methodology combines regression and logit models to forecast investment inflows, supplemented by informal methods such as surveys of potential investors and scoring based on business cooperation, transport accessibility, industry diversification, and the strength of Russia-China relations. The research identified regions with high, moderate, and low investment attractiveness. In border regions, Chinese FDI is diversified across manufacturing, transport, logistics, and agriculture. Growth in Chinese FDI is expected not only in these border areas but also in regions with strong production capacity and market potential. Key factors driving Chinese investment include the construction of transport infrastructure and development of economic corridors. Among the most attractive non-border regions for Chinese investors are Murmansk, Kaluga, Kaliningrad, Arkhangelsk, Chelyabinsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Tula, Orenburg, and the Republic of Tatarstan. Additional factors encouraging FDI inflows include the size of the consumer market, export potential, proximity to transport corridors, cluster policies, and bilateral agreements. The study also found that Chinese investment is likely to support regions’ current industry specializations without altering their overall structure.

Comparative Analysis of Public Sector Performance Across Regions in Russia and China

Olga V. Tarasova — 2025-09-04

The socio-economic disparities across Russia’s regions have raised scholarly interest in measuring public sector performance at the regional level. A comparative analysis with other countries can help identify effective development practices, offering valuable insights for addressing regional disparities in public sector performance through the adaptation of international experience. China, with its extensive regional development practices, offers a relevant point of comparison. However, current research lacks comprehensive, up-to-date evaluations of public sector performance in China by province, as well as comparative cross-national studies in this area. This study addresses that gap by proposing an assessment methodology based on a composite index constructed from 73 indicators for Russia and 76 indicators for China, covering socio-economic development in administrative-territorial units from 2014 to 2021. For each country, separate composite indices were calculated to assess public sector performance, along with sub-indices across eight key areas: security, healthcare, education, science and innovation, social support, sports and culture, transport, ecology, and economic development. Cities with central administrative status significantly outperform other regions in the rankings. The Gini coefficient reveals relatively low inequality in composite performance indices across regions in both countries. For Russia, the domains of healthcare, social support, sports and culture, and transport stand out as areas where adopting Chinese management practices could enhance regional development. The results offer guidance for policymakers seeking to reduce regional disparities and promote balanced socio-economic development in Russia. Future research will explore spatial relationships in regional development outcomes using Moran’s I and systematically examine Chinese best practices in the identified sectors.

Key Hubs of the Polar Silk Road: Sustainable Arctic Routes

Maria A. Pitukhina — 2025-09-04

Murmansk and Arkhangelsk ports have significant potential and are well-positioned to accommodate the growing traffic of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). It is projected that by 2030 the cargo turnover of both ports will increase, which underscores the importance of ensuring sustainable navigation along this route. Such sustainability depends heavily on accurate ice forecasting and the optimization of operational windows. Against this backdrop, this study examines the capacities of three key Polar Silk Road hubs — Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, and Qingdao, focusing on their roles in supporting NSR development. Accurate forecasting of ice conditions in the NSR water area is a critical prerequisite for the reliable planning of shipping operations. Although all three ports contribute to Polar Silk Road connectivity, they differ substantially in cargo volumes and structures, as well as in the types of vessels they service. Using 2022 annual reports from Murmansk, Arkhangelsk, and Qingdao, we analysed a set of comparable indicators, including cargo turnover, waste utilization, and emissions of harmful substances from vessels. To complement this, we also examined Chinese models for port infrastructure development and for integrating ice forecasting with navigation window optimization along the NSR. The comparative analysis reveals that rising port productivity, when accompanied by increased environmental protection expenditures, substantially reduces waste flows but does not necessarily result in lower harmful emissions. This finding points to differentiated strategic priorities: for Arkhangelsk, enhancing waste utilization capacity; for Qingdao, increasing environmental protection investment and achieving CO₂ emissions neutrality; and for Murmansk, accelerating the implementation of AI-driven solutions.

Россия и Китай — драйверы развития перспективного пространства сотрудничества

Elena L. Andreeva — 2025-09-04

Дорогие читатели! Представляем вашему вниманию международный выпуск журнала, продолжающий начатую в 2024 г. традицию подготовки тематических междисциплинарных номеров. В этом году он также объединяет профессионалов в различных областях знания (экономистов и политологов, юристов и философов, демографов и социологов, географов и геологов) из ведущих научно-исследовательских и образовательных учреждений России и Китая. В условиях происходящей трансформации мирохозяйственных связей на всех уровнях (глобальном и наднациональном, страновом и региональном, как в отношении отдельных государств, так и их интеграционных образований) регионы РФ и КНР, обладающие существенным природным, человеческим, промышленным и научно-технологическим потенциалом и представляющие место схождения различных культур и цивилизаций, во многом задают вектор формирующегося мироустройства.