Russia Opens Vladivostok to China After 163 Years

Relations are thawing between Russia and China. After 163 years, Moscow is opening up a major port to Beijing—granting permission for it to ship Chinese goods, starting this June.

Analysts told news outlet Lianhe Zaobao that it gives China the upper hand in its relations with Russia and reflects Russia becoming increasingly isolated by the West because of the Ukraine war.

The announcement came on Monday. The port in question is called Vladivostok. It’s Russia’s largest port in the Pacific Ocean. It’s also home to Russia’s Pacific fleet.

Vladivostok used to be part of China in the 1800s. But Russia annexed it in 1860. Since then, northeastern China lost its ocean access, and had to route its goods first on railroads, then through the port of Dalian– a journey over 600-miles.

Access to Vladivostok cuts that distance by 80 percent.

 

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