Formation of the cooperation between Sverdlovsk region and Harbin at the end of 1980s – the beginning of 1990s

Sun Janan

The article is devoted to the first stage of cooperation between Sverdlovsk region and Chinese city Harbin. It is based on the agreements concluded in 1991 and materials of regional Ural press. Analysis of historical sources shows that formation of legislative base for regional cooperation between Russia and China was begun in Soviet period, during the epoch of Gorbachev`s perestroika. First contracts between Ural and Harbin firms were concluded, the Society of Soviet-Chinese friendship was founded in Sverdlovsk region. But potential of cooperation was not realized because of break of Soviet political and social-economic system.

Keywords:Russian-Chinese relations, regional cooperation, Sverdlovsk region, Harbin, Perestroika.