Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has pledged to enhance economic cooperation with Russia as part of a revitalization strategy of old industrial bases.

Provincial Governor Zhang Zuoji said Heilongjiang aims to increase existing trade with Russia and exchange technology and investment.

At the 16th Harbin Trade Fair, which will be held from June 15-19, the Russian government will for the first time send delegations, Zhang said on Thursday.

In the past, delegations were organized by local governments.

During the fair, the first "Russian Business Day" and the Sino-Russian Trade and Cooperation Networking Seminar will be jointly hosted by the ministries of commerce from both countries.

"Heilongjiang will make better use of its geographic advantage in its co-operation with Russia," Zhang said.

The border between Heilongjiang and Russia is 3,038 kilometers, along which there are 25 cities.

Suifenhe has big potential as the city is situated right next to Russia and has a railway and highway connecting the two countries.

From Suifenhe it is only 25 kilometers to the nearest Russian city and 200 kilometers to Vladivostok, the main city in Russia's far east.

(China Daily April 2, 2005)