Analysts of the Roscongress Foundation have identified the main theses of this study, accompanying each of them with a relevant piece of video broadcasts of panel discussions held as part of the business programs of key events held by the Foundation.
China is intensifying its influence in Russia's international trade, which is characterized by a structural imbalance favoring the export of raw materials.
Despite the notable two-fold increase in trade turnover, bilateral trade between Russia and China continues to be predominantly oriented towards raw materials, posing risks of dependence on external market conditions and limiting opportunities for economic diversification. Over the period from 2019 to 2023, trade turnover between the two countries expanded from $110.9 billion to $240.1 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 18.5%. During this same period, Russia's share in China's total trade turnover nearly doubled, reaching 4%.
However, a structural imbalance is evident in these figures. Mineral resources (oil, gas, coal) and metals constitute more than 73% of Russia's exports to China, while Chinese imports from Russia are predominantly composed of machinery, equipment, electronics, and vehicles, accounting for 74%. This pattern underscores Russia's role primarily as a supplier of raw materials, while China serves as a key provider of products with high value-added.
The authors emphasize that without an active policy to foster the export of non-resource goods such as food products, cosmetics, and medical devices, as well as to establish joint high-tech production facilities, this specialization is likely to deepen. This would render the Russian economy more vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices and the impact of sanctions restrictions.
Video: https://roscongress.ru/sessions/spief-2026-delovaya-programma-rossiya-kitay/search/#01:12:11.007
The Far Eastern region is emerging as a critical logistics node for Russia, yet constraints in infrastructure development and the port's concentration on the export of raw materials are impeding the expansion of high-value cargo transportation.
The strategic shift towards Asian markets has elevated the significance of Far Eastern ports and border crossings. However, their current throughput capacity and cargo flow structures do not adequately align with the requirements for seamless integration into global supply chains.
The Far East enjoys a unique geo-economic position, characterized by an extensive border with China, access to the Pacific Ocean, and proximity to rapidly developing economies in the Asia-Pacific region. The seaports of Vladivostok, Vostochny, Vanino, and Nakhodka are pivotal in facilitating foreign trade operations. Nevertheless, over the past five years, the total cargo turnover has only increased from 205 million tons to 218 million tons, highlighting the existence of capacity constraints.
Key railway crossings, such as Zabaykalsk–Manchuria (with a projected capacity of up to 27 million tons by 2025) and Nizhneleninskoye–Tongjiang (with a capacity of up to 9.6 million tons), are operating at full capacity. New infrastructure projects, including the Jalinda–Mohe bridge and the "Dry Port of Blagoveshchensk," are still in the planning stages. Additionally, approximately 80% of port transshipments involve coal and ore, which have lower profit margins compared to containerized and high-tech cargo.
To address these challenges, the authors propose the development of multi-purpose port facilities, such as Zarubino and Korsakov. They also advocate for the active implementation of digital logistics management platforms and the promotion of containerization. These measures are expected to significantly enhance budget revenues while maintaining the same physical volume of cargo shipments.
Entering the Chinese market necessitates not only legal adaptation but also comprehensive integration into the local business culture, which is fundamentally rooted in the principles of "guanxi" and long-term personal relationships.
Russian entrepreneurs frequently underestimate the intricacies of the Chinese legal and cultural milieu, which can result in payment delays, loss of control over products, and contractual breaches. Conversely, successful ventures underscore the necessity of a systematic approach, encompassing product adaptation, long-term investment in trust-building, and an understanding of national communication characteristics.
Chinese legislation imposes stringent requirements on foreign investors, including mandatory company registration (in the form of a Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprise, Joint Venture, or Representative Office) with a physical address and a local representative. Additionally, a business license must be obtained through the Market Regulation Administration, and specific industries may require additional permits, such as an Internet Content Provider (ICP) license for online trading or a Compulsory Certification (CCC) for goods, as well as export licenses. All documentation must be submitted in Chinese. Currency control by the People's Bank of China and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) necessitates detailed justification for each cross-border payment, a process that has become particularly rigorous since 2022 due to the risks associated with secondary sanctions.
However, even full compliance with regulatory procedures does not guarantee successful outcomes; the concept of "guanxi," or the system of trust-based personal connections, plays a pivotal role. Without regular visits, participation in informal meetings, congratulations on national holidays, and a commitment to long-term investments with a payback period of 2-3 years, Chinese partners may be unwilling to engage in serious cooperation.
An essential aspect of sustainability is the principle of "transition equity". African and Asian countries highlight that the climate agenda should not overshadow the issue of "energy poverty," as hundreds of millions of people in these regions still lack access to basic electricity. Russia proposes a solution through the creation of hybrid energy systems, the development of small-scale power generation for remote areas, and the localization of technologies. This approach enables the simultaneous enhancement of human well-being and the achievement of environmental objectives, ensuring a stable future for the global energy system.
Video: https://roscongress.ru/sessions/eef-2025-delovaya-programma-rossiya-i-kitay-poisk-sovmestnykh-platfo...
Source: "Vostokgosplan"
Read next content