China will import Russian expertise and technology while speeding up cooperation in exploring natural resources in Russia.

According to sources with the Heilongjiang provincial government, the northeastern province is mapping out a plan to send Chinese people to explore oil, natural gas and other minerals in Russia.

Powerful Chinese enterprises are also encouraged to carry out the program in forestry, agriculture, animal husbandry and real estate, the officials said.

Heilongjiang, sharing 3,045 kilometers of border lines with Russia, spearheads China's cooperation with Russia.

The province is training more translators and establishing more economic zones to reach its goal.

(People's Daily November 15, 2001)