Primorye plans new port for transshipping goods from various Chinese provinces

VLADIVOSTOK. May 15 (Interfax) - Primorye Governor Oleg Kozhemyako has proposed during a working visit to Guangzhou that Chinese investors participate in jointly constructing a new seaport in the village of Slavyanka in Primorye's Khasan district.

Economic cooperation between the two regions was discussed during a meeting between Kozhemyako and Guangdong Province First Vice Governor Zhang Guozhi, the Primorye regional authorities' press service said.

"Such a port would enable transshipment of goods from Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces to southern Primorye, which would be more convenient and cost-effective than via Dalian port [in China]. This would establish connections between ports in Guangdong Province and Primorye, as well as China's northeastern provinces," the press service quoted Kozhemyako as saying.

It was previously reported that Belarus had shown interest in participating in the new port project in Primorye.

Primorye has already established its first international advanced development territory, Kozhemyako said.

"The preferential regime will include a free customs zone, 15-year tax benefits and no visa requirements. We can arrange 10-year offset contracts for products manufactured within this territory," he said.

The Primorye authorities also proposed establishing direct air links between Guangzhou and Vladivostok. Currently, no direct flights operate between these cities.