Russia will lease 150 thousand hectares of land to China

The Trans-Baikal Territory signed a protocol of intent with the Chinese company Zoje Resources Investment, according to which 150 of thousands of hectares of land will be transferred to China for the implementation of a joint agricultural project.

As the regional governor Konstantin Ilkovsky told Interfax, the cost of a joint project in the field of agriculture will be 2 billion yuan (320 million dollars).

“We are talking about creating a joint venture in the future. On our side it’s land, on their side it’s money. On our part, there is strict control over cultivation technology,” explained Ilkovsky.

Previously agency FlashSiberia reported that Zoje Resources Investment has leased 115 thousands of hectares of land for 49 years in the Trans-Baikal Territory.

According to Nezavisimaya Gazeta, Beijing believes that the transfer of land alone is not enough and intends to demand from Moscow a change in the procedure for the movement and settlement of Chinese in this territory.