HARBIN - The Sino-Russian border island of Heixiazi is expected to welcome tourists in late July, a local official said.

Bo Xiru, chief of the tourism bureau of northeastern Heilongjiang province, said the public-works projects being built in the section of Chinese territory on the island are nearly complete, and the first group of tourists received on the island may set foot there on July 20.

With their natural beauty, a boundary marker and former Russian military camp there are expected to attract tourists as well, Bo said.

China and Russia introduced boundary markers to the Heixiazi Island in 2008. Under an agreement, half of the 335-square-kilometer island close to Fuyuan county, Heilongjiang, belongs to China. The other half belongs to Khabarovsk Krai, Russia. In November 2010, the premiers of the two nations agreed in a joint communique to develop the island together. Both parties hoped to turn the border island into a place where travelers could go without a visa for eco-tours.

Vitaly Selyukov, director of the tourism department under the division of economic development and overseas liaison of Khabarovsk, said a plan for developing the island's Russian half has been formed and the final construction details of the project will be revealed when further negotiations with the Chinese side come to an end.

"I hope tourists can enjoy the customs and cultures of both China and Russia," he said.

Xinhua