Alexander Balitsky with the details from the Eastern Economic Forum.
This was the night of high political cuisine of Russian-Chinese negotiations.
Russian blini with a true Far Eastern filling — red caviar. The recipe of mutually beneficial cooperation between Putin and Xi who have met four times in the last four months. Maximum trust.
Vladimir Putin: - How much? 200 rubles? It's my present to you.
Xi Jinping: I've just thought that I don't have any rubles. Thank you.
- You can repay me in yuan.
Organizing national currency payments is a future task. Later, Putin will share the details of that blini-night with other leaders.
Vladimir Putin: "The fishers gave us caviar. I'm more of a herring guy, I don't like caviar that much, but I had to taste the caviar because I didn't want to offend them".
Even the piano at the Eastern Economic Forum was decorated with the cans of Far Eastern herring. All kinds of Far Eastern seafood are sold at the fish market. While businessmen try to figure out a way to ship them to Central Russia Putin and Xi Jinping learn about Freeze-drying — a technology that allows food to remain fresh for a long time.
"There are no chemicals, no additives, and no preservatives".
The governor of the region closest to China, Amur Oblast, tells the leaders about the potential of the Russian regions speaking fluent Chinese.
Vladimir Putin: We pick them accordingly.
Xi Jinping: His Chinese is great.
By the end of 2018, the commodity trade with China will reach a record $100 billion. In addition, 80% of foreign investments in the Far East come from China. However, Putin offers cooperation to all partners in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Vladimir Putin: “We are working hard to create a strong center of international cooperation and integration. But we have to do it, we will do it, and will eventually succeed.”
That's why territories of advanced development are being created. Today, there are already 18 of them including the Bolshoi Kamen Bay where the first Russian heavy-tonnage shipyard, Star, is being built from scratch. It will build all kinds of ships, from gas tankers to colossal rigs. The President launched the construction of the first ice tanker. Screwing on a sign is a naval lucky tradition. After that, the President talks to the workers, whom he meets every year.
Vladimir Putin: How are you doing?
- We're great.
- How's your work?
- The work is great.
- You'll have a unique facility. You'll be building medium and large civilian vessels. There has never been anything like it in Russia. It's not just a Far Eastern project, it's a national project.
It'll be six years until Star opens but it already has 26 giant arctic vessels in its contract portfolio. Previously, Russia used to import them. Now we have our own floating dock, the largest crane in Russia (the capacity of this Goliath is 1,200 tons) and a giant dry dock. This new project has re-energized the city.
Vitaly Kondratenko: "I've never thought they would build such a facility here".
For the first time in many years, people aren't leaving the region. Quite the opposite.
- You came from Moscow?
Galina Zhiltsova: Yes.
- Why?
- An interesting city, an interesting job. A developing region. The pay is decent.
Vladimir Putin: "We need to strive for the economic growth rate of Russia’s Far East to be above the global average. This is required primarily to improve the quality of life of our citizens".
In the context of the constant storm of the world economy, investors are promised to find a quiet and peaceful haven here. Taxes, customs, insurance — the environment is as favorable as possible. A tailwind for all new projects. The captains of world business are queuing up. Over the last 3 years, 38 new facilities have been built on the advanced development territories. That's 16,000 new jobs. But the President launches new ones. A large pig farm will provide Primorsky Krai with fresh pork.
Vladimir Putin: "I wish you the best of luck!"
The construction of the Baimsky mineral processing plant at one of the richest copper and gold deposits in Chukotka and the new transit terminal for liquefied gas in Kamchatka will open Asian markets and ensure that the North Sea Route operates throughout the year.
At the meeting, the United Aircraft Corporation and Aeroflot signed the contract for one hundred Sukhoi Superjet 100 aircraft.
And here's a truly historic deal. Before stepping down as the CEO of the internet empire Alibaba Jack Ma made a strategic decision. The Chinese internet giant signed a major contract in the area of electronic commerce with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Mail.Ru Group, and Megafon. Together, they'll create the first unified platform for internet commerce. As a special token of friendship, Jack Ma receives a decorated casket and Yuri Gagarin's cardiogram taken during his first space mission.
Kirill Dmitriev: "This is his heartbeat? Right before takeoff and right after takeoff".
Both Gagarin and Ma were pioneers. The former in space and the latter in electronic commerce.
Kirill Dmitriev, Direct Investment Fund: "It's vitally important for us, that the platforms will be processed on Russian territory and will use Russian payment services".
Michael Evans, Chairman of the Alibaba Group: "We have the best Russian partners. The advantage is obvious".
The Far East must be closely connected to the rest of the world. Here's a frozen train to Crimea at the Sakhalin stand.
"Train 6567 Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk-Simferopol departs in five minutes".
So far, the bridge to the island has been a dream that might become Russia's new large-scale project. The region's neighbors are interested in developing the railroad infrastructure. Here's the North Korean delegation. Together with South Koreans, they are discussing how to connect the North Korean Railroad and the Russian Trans-Siberian Line.
Jang Hyok, Deputy Railroad Minister (North Korea): "The project bears historic value because it allows us to join the Asia-Pacific region with Europe via the continent".
The South Korean Prime Minister is looking forward to riding a train through Pyongyang. A political statement indeed.
Lee Nak-yeon, Prime Minister of South Korea: "This time I came by plane, but next time I want to take the train. I'm asking the leaders to help me bring my dream to life".
Mongolia is also interested in railway transportation. In addition, it's ready to help build a pipeline from Russia to China. President Battulga is visiting Vladivostok for the second year in a row.
- In the context of today’s economic and political processes is it important to be able to take a punch?
Khaltmaagiin Battulga, President of Mongolia: Of course. An athletic character always helps.
The former Sambo world champion knows what he's saying. Together with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Vladimir Putin, he watched a judo match. The International Judo Tournament being held since last year is organized by Putin and Abe. Both leaders use any opportunity to engage in dialogue. The joint Mazda assembly plant has launched a car engine assembly line.
- May I initiate the launch?
- Go on.
50,000 engines per year will be exported to Japan.
Ildar Hismatullin, Mazda Sollers: "About 150 workers have been working on this project for about six months. Each worker studied in Hiroshima. They started with the basics, even learned Japanese a little".
Russian businessmen are learning the language of business etiquette. A business card is given with both hands with a small bow. The Japanese are ready to invest in high technologies and a new airport in Khabarovsk but the main line is energy. New gas liquefying and transportation capacities.
Alexander Novak, Minister of Energy: "The economy of the Asia-Pacific region is the fastest developing one. Energy consumption is also growing".
Dmitry Patrushev, Minister of Agriculture: "We're expecting this year's Far Eastern exports to be worth $3.3 billion".
Maxim Oreshkin, Minister of Economic Development: "Every year, the number of projects increases. Our Asian partners play a big role".
Not only economic projects but also support in case of a difficult situation bind us with our neighbors. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping came to the summer camp Okean. In 2008, it welcomed almost 900 kids who suffered from an earthquake. Some of them have come here again. They're crying with happiness.
Vladimir Putin: "We're trying to establish the relations between our countries and people that you've established here with your Russian friends. When you came here in 2008 my Russian colleagues told me, that they'd welcome you as their own kids. Judging by your tears, they succeeded. But it also means that my friend and I have succeeded as well".
Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China: "We have a saying in China: 'A drop of mercy gets you a well in return.' And here we have an ocean".
The Chinese leader will bring home a sweater, a painting, and a dozen new contracts. The investment impact on the Far East has also been calculated.
Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister: "At this moment, the revenue is $2.937 trillion And that's quite the story".
The Aiaks Promenade opens a bright prospect that'll give a fresh coat of paint to the life in the region.
Alexander Balitsky, Alexander Ivankov Rinat Gareyev, and Kirill Puzyrny. Vesti: News of the Week, Russky Island
