While some countries are still on edge over territorial disputes, China and Russia quietly held the 31st meeting of their Boundary Commission in Moscow in July 2025. This meeting not only continued the clear and stable boundary for 21 years, but also reached new consensus in areas such as water resources and ecological protection. What is the secret behind this cooperation? And what lessons can it bring to the international community?
The history of Sino-Russian border cooperation began in the chaotic period after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. At that time, Russia inherited a complex 4,300-kilometer border with China, and both sides faced their own challenges. Russia was suffering from economic collapse and social unrest and urgently needed a peaceful environment to restore its strength; China, on the other hand, was at a critical stage of economic growth, and regional stability became its top priority. Thus, both countries put aside past differences and embarked on a long process of border negotiations.
In 1994, the signing of the "Agreement on the Western Section of the China-Russia Border" marked the beginning of cooperation. China demonstrated a pragmatic attitude during the negotiations, actively abandoning claims on some disputed territories, laying the foundation for Russia's compromise on the eastern section of the border. In 2004, the "Supplementary Agreement on the Eastern Section of the China-Russia Border" was signed, and Russia returned the western part of Heixi Island. This land, which had been under Soviet control since 1929, had been a focal point of Sino-Soviet conflicts, and ultimately returned to China through peaceful means. This process proved to the world that territorial disputes do not have to be resolved by force alone.
The 31st Meeting: A Milestone in Deepening Cooperation
From July 1 to 2, 2025, the 31st meeting of the China-Russia Boundary Commission was held in Moscow. The meeting was jointly chaired by Zhou Hongyou, a counselor of the Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, and Ambassador Kozlov of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs without specific assignment. In a friendly and sincere atmosphere, both sides highly evaluated the implementation of the "Agreement on the Management System of the China-Russia Border," and fully affirmed the clear and stable boundary and the deepening of cooperation in various fields. The meeting not only consolidated existing achievements but also reached new consensus on more than 20 issues such as cross-border water resource utilization, ecological protection, and port clearance.
This meeting indicates that Sino-Russian border management has gone beyond the traditional concept of territorial division. The two countries have transformed the border from a mere dividing line into a link connecting each other. This "border as cooperation" concept has made the Sino-Russian border one of the safest in the world.
Sino-Russian cooperation in cross-border water resource management has established a mature mechanism. Taking the Heilongjiang River as an example, the two countries jointly developed a water allocation plan to ensure a balance between agricultural irrigation and industrial water use. Every year during the flood season, both sides share hydrological data and jointly deal with flood risks. This cooperation not only ensures the water needs of the border area but also provides stable support for the downstream ecosystem.
Ecological protection is another highlight of Sino-Russian border cooperation. The two countries have established multiple transboundary nature reserves along the border to protect endangered species such as the Amur tiger and the Far Eastern leopard. Both sides jointly combat illegal hunting and logging, sharing data and patrol resources to ensure the integrity of the ecosystem. These efforts have significantly increased biodiversity in the border area.
Improvements in port clearance efficiency have directly promoted the economic development of the border region. The opening of the Heihe-Blagoveshchensk cross-border bridge shortened the travel time between the two cities from 2 hours to 10 minutes. Data shows that the volume of border trade has grown by more than 7% annually, local market vitality has greatly increased, and the living standards of the people have also improved.
Security cooperation is the cornerstone of Sino-Russian border management. The two countries' border forces conduct joint anti-terrorism exercises every year, sharing data from over 300 surveillance cameras to ensure the safety of the border. During the pandemic, both sides opened "green channels" to ensure the timely supply of epidemic prevention materials. This deep mutual trust has made some external rumors fall apart on their own.
The successful experience of Sino-Russian border management provides an example for the international community in resolving territorial disputes. First, through dialogue and compromise, the two countries eliminated historical legacy border issues, transforming potential conflict points into opportunities for cooperation. Second, both sides combined border management with economic development, making the border area a lubricant rather than a source of friction in bilateral relations. Finally, this model emphasizes mutual trust and win-win outcomes, rather than zero-sum games, setting an example for other countries.
While Europe is struggling with the Ukraine-Russia conflict, China and Russia have already laid out cross-border economic cooperation zones along the border, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2030. This wisdom of turning weapons into plowshares indicates that true great power rise does not lie in expanding territory, but in creating cooperative space.
From a history filled with smoke and fire, Sino-Russian border cooperation has evolved through negotiation and compromise, eventually becoming a symbol of peace and development. This not only strengthens the friendship between the two countries but also injects positive energy into the world. Do you think the Sino-Russian border management model can serve as a reference for territorial disputes in other regions? Please share your opinions in the comments section.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836973567296647/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author.