For the existence of any organized society, a certain territory is necessary. Moreover, the safety and functioning of these lands should be regulated by state acts. But this, as history shows, is clearly not enough. The security and integrity of a country can only be ensured if its borders are clearly defined and recognized by representatives of the entire world community. That is why territorial disputes remain one of the most important issues of the foreign policy of each state.
Such great powers as Russia and China are no exception. Initially between them lay desert or sparsely populated territories, huge in their extent. The northern border of China was the Great Wall of China. Today it stands far from the current border. Moreover, the distance is more than a thousand kilometers. Of course, that was a very long time ago. Then the Chinese could not even think that the Amur River on the map would become the line of the divide between their state and Russia. Indeed, in those days, these territories were the birthplace of the warlike Manchu. And this people was ethnically far from the Han Chinese, the Native Chinese.
The longest border in the world
History has made its own adjustments, and today we can state that Russia and China are two empires that entered the twentieth century as two neighboring countries. The official border between them has existed for more than one hundred and thirty years. In 1860, the Beijing Treaty was signed, in which “now and forever” the border of the two states was fixed.
Russia and China are two states whose border length is the largest in the world. This is a line of ten thousand kilometers. It starts from the point of the borders of Russia, China and Afghanistan and ends with the point of proximity of Russia, China and Korea.
Demarcation of borders
The arrangements of the 19th-century Beijing Agreement have undergone some changes these days. They were revised, that is, they demarcated the borders. This term means clarification of the existing borders of the two states. The reason for this may be changes in the riverbed, soil layer, etc. However, the demarcation of the Russian-Chinese border occurred due to the revision and revision of the existing dividing line.
The implementation of these works was only partially caused by natural phenomena. So, in the 130 years since the signing of the Beijing Treaty, the Tumannaya River changed its course. She began to carry her water through the territory of Russia. In addition, documented inaccuracies appeared in the consolidation of border signs of both one and the second state.
Eastern border
The borders between Russia and China are divided into two zones. The eastern part of the state border begins from the line of their neighborhood with Mongolia. The length of these boundaries is more than four thousand kilometers.
Despite the Beijing Accords of 1860, the border issue between the two countries was raised more than once. The dividing lines between China and Russia were repeatedly moved by the local authorities and the population of both states. That is why the need arose to restore the borders as they were fixed at the signing of various agreements.
Neighborhood history
Almost throughout its entire length, the eastern border between the two great powers passed and continues today where the Amur River is located on the map, and where the Argun and Ussuri rivers flow. However, until 1992, this dividing line was not demarcated accordingly. Until 1931, border rivers had a free shipping regime. Waterbeds of both states freely moved along their channels. In addition, the uninhabited numerous river islands were practically jointly owned.
Everything changed after the outbreak of Japanese aggression against China, as well as after the creation of the puppet state of Manzhou-Guo. For the Soviet Union, this was a clear security threat. That is why our state had to establish strict control over the river territory. Initially, this decision did not raise any objections from China. But since the 60s of the last century, tension between our countries began to increase. That is why Soviet control over the water areas of border rivers has become the main source of incidents.
Disputed Territories
During the negotiations between the USSR and China, the sovereignty of several sections was discussed for a long time. The first of them were two territories in the Chita region. This is a fairly large island located on the Argun River, located forty kilometers southeast of the city of Zabaikalsk. Its significance for Russia is enormous. The island connects our country with China and Mongolia. In addition, this site is the main source of drinking water for the population of the city of Krasnokamensk, in whose territory almost 90 percent of uranium was produced.
The second controversial site, located in the Chita region, is the island of Menkeseli. He became the subject of disagreement after Argun changed its course, turning the channel 5 km to the north.
Also, disputes between Russia and China were fought over two sites in the Khabarovsk Territory. The first of them is Bolshoi Ussuriysky island. The territory is located directly near Khabarovsk - the largest city in Russia in the Far East.
The island of Tarabarova also caused controversy. It is located near Khabarovsk. This island has a significant area. In addition, there are a large number of other islets and islands around it. Many of them are located where the Ussuri River flows into the Amur. Tarabarova Island got its name more than a hundred years ago. Then, in 1912, he settled with his family on its territory and started a farm there for a hardworking peasant. His name was Sergey Maksimovich Tarabarov. Officially, the island was assigned to the Soviet Union in 1929. Between the city and it is located Big Ussuriysky.
Three areas in the Primorsky district also serve as a source of border incidents. This is the plot:
- not far from Lake Khanka;
- P-shaped view near Poltavka.
The third territory consists of two small strips of land located north of Lake Hassan.
All of the above zones are important for Russia in economic terms. That is why they were initially under her direct control. In addition, the island of Tarabarova and large areas of the Greater Ussuriysk are located in the immediate vicinity of Khabarovsk, and therefore are its protection in the event of an armed attack.
Final decision making
In 1991, agreements were signed between China and the Russian Federation, finalizing the eastern section of the border. And a year later, demarcation work began on this territory. As a result, the border between the two great powers has become clearly marked on the ground. All work was carried out with the participation of a specially created demarcation commission, which included representatives of both states.
For the first time in history from the borders with Mongolia to the river. 1184 border posts were affixed to the foggy. The distance between them is 1.5-3 km, and in some places with complex terrain - 300-500 m. In addition, several hundred kilometers of glades were cut through, and a large number of obsolete engineering structures were dismantled. Affected demarcation works and river territories. A large volume of hydrographic measurements was carried out at the border sections of the Amur and Ussuri, and buoys were installed at the equatorial area of Lake Khanka.
Demarcation work was not only laborious, but also a very complex process. So, the local Russian residents of the island of China, located on the border, were considered primordially Russian territory. After all, they used these lands for their economic purposes. Nevertheless, all work was carried out in accordance with the agreements signed between the two countries. Successful resolution of issues has made a great contribution to strengthening friendship between Russia and China, as well as strengthening stability in the region.
Completion of demarcation
An important event in the history of relations between Russia and China took place in the fall of 2004. On October 14, another agreement on the passage of the eastern borders was signed in Beijing. It was the end of territorial disputes between the two countries.
According to the signed agreement, the island of Tarabarova and part of the Bolshoi Ussuriysky island went to China.
Controversial issue
The one who owns the island of Tarabarova and part of the Greater Ussuriysk, Russia and China could not solve since 1964. It was then that the territorial dispute between the two great powers began, which was still not fully resolved.
In order to get both one and the second river island, the Chinese launched an irrigation war against the USSR. It consisted of regular flooding in the Kazakevichev channel with sand barges. The purpose of such work was to channel the channels to the islands and its connection with the Chinese coast. In this case, the islands of Bolshoi Ussuriysky and Tarabarova would automatically be in the territory of China. But this venture was a failure, as the Russians constantly deepened the bottom of the Amur River and strengthened its shores. And only the 2004 agreement put an end to the long irrigation war.
What did China get?
According to the signed agreements, Russia transferred the island of Tarabarova to the neighboring state. They gave to China and the western part of the Greater Ussuriysk (it was divided approximately equally). Today, these territories are Heilongjiang Province.
How is the current border? After part of the Greater Ussuriysky, as well as the island of Tarabarov was given to China, the border between the two countries began to pass along the coastal part of Khabarovsk. Moreover, the dachas of local residents located on Bolshoi Ussuriyskiy remained on the Russian side. The rest went to the Chinese. In total, Russia gave 337 square kilometers of its space to a neighboring state.
What has changed after the transfer of territory?
Today about. Tarabarova and part of the Greater Ussuri - these are the islands of China. The neighboring state became closer to Khabarovsk at once fifty kilometers. Earlier, Greater Ussuriysk defended Russia from a military attack. On its territory was a fortified area. To date, the military left all the engineering structures and moved to a new outpost.
The main attraction of the Greater Ussuriysk is the Orthodox chapel, erected in honor of St. Victor. The Chinese sympathized with our religious shrine and carried the border line away from the temple.
Today, the territories surrendered by Russia, according to the agreement of 2004, are Heilongjiang Province, Fuyuan County. Russian islands of Tarabarova and Bolshoi Ussuriysky - about. Inpundao and Fr. Heixiangzidao.
The main highway has already been built on these lands from the south to the north. Along its western side is the active construction of the "most eastern pagoda." This is a multi-story tower, reaching a height of 81 m, having a square shape. Its architecture is made in the style of the Tan and Han dynasties. The pagoda, which will stand just opposite the chapel of St. Victor, will be a vivid symbol of the territory acquired by China. The tower is so high that you can see it from the Russian village, located in the Amur floodplain.
It is worth mentioning that the easternmost point of China has changed its geographical position. Previously, she was in the village of Usu, but now she has moved to Heixiangzi Island. As a result, the Chinese began to meet the rising sun fifty-eight seconds earlier.
The islands are actively visited by tourists from both countries. For example, in 2015, the number of travelers was about half a million.
Natural resources of transferred territories
The island of Tarabarova, like Bolshoi Ussuriysky, has rich lands. Up to seventy percent of their area can be used as pasture, hayfields and arable land. In addition, fur-bearing animals live on the islands, as well as ungulates and waterfowl. There are species on these lands that are listed in the Red Books of the USSR, Russia and the International Union. Their list includes: Japanese and black cranes, black storks, scabies, mandarin duck, leathery Far Eastern tortoise, etc.
Floodplain lakes, as well as the waters of the Amur River and its channels are rich in fish. Protected species are also found here. This is Chinese perch auha and grass carp. Around the islands, autumn chum and lampreys make their migratory movements.
Yes, rich lands have been transferred to China. However, the Russian side believes that in economic terms it has not suffered significant losses. Our country has big plans. They suggest the creation of a joint Russian-Chinese trade zone in these territories. This will provide normal conditions for the implementation of trade between Heilongjiang and the Khabarovsk Territory. And today, the federal budget has already begun to lay the funding needed to build a bridge from Khabarovsk to Heisyantzi Island.