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The government of Sakhalin, in Russia's Far East, says a delegation of Chinese businesspeople and others have visited Etorofu Island, one of the four islands that are collectively called the Northern Territories in Japan.
Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains that the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
The Sakhalin government announced on Tuesday the delegation consisted of administrative officials and businesspeople from the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang.
It reports that the visit was based on a request from the governor of Sakhalin, and it notes that the purpose was to study the feasibility of a joint project between Russia and China.
The Sakhalin government says the Chinese delegation showed an interest in the farming of sea urchins and sea cucumbers, and inspected candidate sites for the development of tourism infrastructure.
Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko said business development must enhance the quality of life of residents and open up new possibilities. He indicated that he is committed to improving the investment environment.
The Russian government hopes to attract investment in the Northern Territories from both within and outside Russia through tax breaks and other measures. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu Island for the first time in August.
Japan's Foreign Ministry contacted Russia and China through diplomatic channels late on Tuesday night.
The ministry said it strongly urged the two countries to act properly on this matter. It also said it conveyed to both that Russia's actions are incompatible with Japan's consistent stance that the Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory.
Russia controls the islands. Japan claims them. The Japanese government maintains that the islands are an inherent part of Japan's territory. It says the islands were illegally occupied after World War Two.
The Sakhalin government announced on Tuesday the delegation consisted of administrative officials and businesspeople from the northeastern Chinese province of Heilongjiang.
It reports that the visit was based on a request from the governor of Sakhalin, and it notes that the purpose was to study the feasibility of a joint project between Russia and China.
The Sakhalin government says the Chinese delegation showed an interest in the farming of sea urchins and sea cucumbers, and inspected candidate sites for the development of tourism infrastructure.
Sakhalin Governor Valery Limarenko said business development must enhance the quality of life of residents and open up new possibilities. He indicated that he is committed to improving the investment environment.
The Russian government hopes to attract investment in the Northern Territories from both within and outside Russia through tax breaks and other measures. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Etorofu Island for the first time in August.
Japan's Foreign Ministry contacted Russia and China through diplomatic channels late on Tuesday night.
The ministry said it strongly urged the two countries to act properly on this matter. It also said it conveyed to both that Russia's actions are incompatible with Japan's consistent stance that the Northern Territories are an inherent part of Japan's territory.
