• Country/entity

  China
  Russia
  

• Region

  Asia and Pacific
  Europe and Eurasia
  

• Agreement name

  Agreement on the Eastern Section of the Boundary between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the People's Republic of China (1991 Sino-Soviet Border Agreement)

• Date

  16 May 1991

• Agreement status

  Multiparty signed/agreed

• Interim arrangement

  Yes

• Agreement/conflict level

  Interstate/interstate conflict ( Sino-Soviet Border Conflict (1969 - 1991) )

• Stage

  Framework/substantive - partial

• Conflict nature

  Territory

• Peace process

  China-Russia border dispute peace process

• Parties

  People’s Republic of China
  Plenipotentiary
  Qian Qichen
  
  Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
  Plenipotentiary
  Alexander Bessmertnykh

• Third parties

  -

• Description

  Detailed border demarcation agreement on the Eastern Sector of the Sino-Russian border running through thirty three boundary points running South Easterly from Tarbagan-Dakh to Guoluminiwujiaoshi Mountain. Agreement stipulates that the seventh, eighth, tenth and eleventh boundary points will be agreed upon in another agreement. Agreement establishes a boundary demarcation committee.

• Agreement document

  CN_RU_910516_Agreement on the Eastern Section of the Boundary.pdf | Download PDF

• Agreement document (original language)

  CN_RU_910516_Agreement on the Eastern Section of the Boundary_CN.pdf | Download PDF

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Agreement on the Eastern Section of the Boundary between the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the People's Republic of China (16/05/1991)

The People’s Republic of China and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, in order to clarify and determine that they have reached consistent agreement on the direction of the eastern section of the Sino-Soviet border, have reached the following agreement:

Article 1

The contracting parties agree to use the existing treaty related to the Sino-Soviet border line as a basis and to act in accordance with the standards of international law, based on the spirit of equal agreement, mutual understanding and mutual accommodation.

In addition, they will use the agreement reached in the process of border negotiations, to fairly and reasonably resolve the historical issue of the Sino-Russian border and clarify and determine the direction of the borderline which runs between the two countries.

Article 2

The contracting parties agree that the directions for the eastern section of the borderline which runs between China and the Soviet Union are as follows:

The first boundary point of the eastern section of the Sino-Soviet border is located at an altitude of 646.7m on Tarbagan-Dakh (645.0m on the Soviet Union map).This point lies approximately 18.7km northwest of the Chinese territory that sits at an altitude of 831.7m (877.0m on Daguan Shan Ula on the Soviet Union map), approximately 3.6km south of the Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 708.5m, and approximately 4.8km southwest of the Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 709.4m (709.5m on the Soviet Union map).

From the first boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line southwest for approximately 30.4km until it reaches the second boundary point.

This boundary point lies approximately 8.2km north of the Chinese territory that sits at an altitude of 791.0m, approximately 3.0km south southeast of the Soviet territory on Kelukalaya Shan that sits at an altitude of 850.6m (844.0m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 5.2km west southwest of the Soviet territory on Tieliefangnaya Shan that sits at an altitude of 872.2m (863.4m on the Soviet Union map).

From the second boundary point, the borderline heads in a straight line east southeast for approximately 16.8km until it reaches the third boundary point.

This boundary point lies approximately 2.3km north of the Chinese territory on Jiazi Shan that sits at an altitude of 723.2m (724.1m on the Soviet Union map), approximately 4.0km southeast of the Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 822.8m (822.3m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 5.3km southwest of the Soviet territory on Kelukalaya Shan that sits at an altitude of 750.5m (749.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the third boundary point, the borderline heads in a straight line eastward for approximately 14.4km until it reaches the fourth boundary point.

This boundary point lies approximately 4.2km north northwest of the Chinese territory on Tiexi Shan that sits at an altitude of 666.0m (667.0m on Tiexi Wula on the Soviet Union map), approximately 6.4km northwest of the Chinese territory that sits at an altitude of 693.0m, and approximately 2.5km south of the Soviet territory on Kelutaya Shan that sits at an altitude of 767.2m (763.8m on the Soviet Union map).

This section of the borderline crosses over the railway between China’s Manchuria railway station and the Soviet Baikal railway station.

From the fourth boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line east southeast for approximately 13.7km until it reaches the fifth boundary point.

This boundary point lies approximately 3.5km east of the Chinese territory that sits at an altitude of 696.3m (695.8m on Damu Shan on the Soviet Union map), approximately 1.2km north northeast of the Chinese territory that sits at an altitude of 731.5m (729.8m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 3.7km southwest of the Soviet territory on Wei’erbuliuriya Shan that sits at an altitude of 607.1m (606.4m on the Soviet Union map).

From the fifth boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line east southeast for approximately 13.2 kilometres until it reaches the sixth boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the west bank of Dalang Aoluomu River (Mutenaya Puluo Tuoka Creek on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 2.9km east northeast of the Chinese territory on Erzi Mountain that is at an altitude of 576.9m (576.9m on ‘Two Willow Hill’ on the Soviet Union map), approximately 6.9 kilometres east of the Chinese territory on Jiana Mountain that is at an altitude of 677.7m (678.4m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 3.9km south west of the Soviet territory on Abagaitu Mountain that sits at an altitude of 611.4m (610.6m high on Molokanka Shan on the Soviet Union map).

From the sixth boundary point, the border line runs in a straight line in the original direction, until it reaches the river centre line of Dalang Aoluomu River (Mutenaya Puluo Tuoka Creek on the Soviet Union Map).

It then heads along this river centre line heading generally northeast, until it reaches the seventh boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the centre line of the mouth of Dalang Aoluomu River (Mutenaya Puluo Tuoka Creek on the Soviet Union Map).

It lies approximately 7.3 km to the northwest of territory in China that is at an altitude of 574.0m, approximately 0.4 km south of the Chinese territory on Abagaitu Mountain that sits at 611.4 m high (610.6m high on Molokanka Mountain on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 4.5km east southeast of Soviet territory which sits at an altitude of 637.6 m high (637.1m on the Soviet Union map).

The eighth boundary point is located on the river centre line of the Argun River (the Ergune River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 3.7 km north northwest of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 573.0m, approximately 8.1 km north of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 563.0 m high, and approximately 3.2km south of Soviet territory on Moguli Chake Mountain that sits at an altitude of 605.4m high (604.8 m on the Soviet Union map).

From the eight boundary point, the border line follows along the river or mainstream centre line of the Argun River (Ergune River on the Soviet Union map) generally eastward, until it reaches the ninth boundary point.

This boundary point is at the point of intersect between the Argun River’s (Ergune River on the Soviet Union map) water flow centre line and Heilongjiang’s (Amur River on the Soviet Union map) main channel centre line.

It lies approximately 1.8km east of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 414.0m (410.7m on the Soviet Union map), about 2.1 km east of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 310.1 m (309.6 on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 4.3 km southeast of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 611.2 m high (610.0 on the Soviet Union map).

From the ninth boundary point, the borderline follows the main channel centre line of Heilongjiang (Amur River on the Soviet Union map) until it reaches the tenth boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the main channel centre line of Heilongjiang (Amur River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 9.0 km east northeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 266.5m (266.5m on Yiliqi Mountain on the Soviet Union map), approximately 6.3km southeast of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 41.2 m (41.1m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 2.5 km south southeast of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 40.4 m high (39.9m on the Soviet Union map).

The eleventh boundary point is located on the main channel centre line of the Ussuri River (Ussuri river on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 18.3 km northeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 58m, approximately 5.6 km west northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 366.1m (353.5m on Teliehe Gelawaya Mountain on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 7.5km northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 950m (949.4m on Bolshoy Heheqier Mountain on the Soviet Union map).

From the eleventh boundary point, the border line traces along the main channel centre line of the Ussuri River (Ussuri River on the Soviet Union map) generally southward, until it reaches the twelfth boundary point.

This boundary point is located at the point of intersect between the main channel centre line of the Ussuri River (Ussuri River on the Soviet Union map) and the water flow centre line of the Song’acha River (Song’acha River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 6.6km east southeast of the road (road junction on the Soviet Union map) intersecting coordinates 52 and 68 that sits at an altitude of 66.0m high in China, and about 9.9km northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 132m (131.6m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twelfth boundary point, the border line traces along the water flow or mainstream centreline of the Song’acha River (Song’acha river on the Soviet Union map) generally southward, until it reaches the thirteenth boundary point.

This boundary point is located at the water flow centre line of this river which feeds into Xingkai Lake, (Lake Khanka on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 4.2km west southwest of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 67m, and about 0.6km northeast of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 70.3m high (approximately 0.6km northeast of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 70.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the thirteenth boundary point, the border line heads approximately 0.6km northwest (0.7km on the Soviet Union map), until it reaches fourteenth boundary point.

This boundary point is located on Xingkai Lake (Lake Khanka on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 12.8 km southwest of Chinese territory that sits at an altitude of 69.1 m, and approximately 0.9km north northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 70.3m (70.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the fourteenth boundary point, the border on the surface of Lake Xingkai (Lake Khanka on the Soviet Union map) heads west southwest for approximately 0.5km until it reaches the fifteenth boundary point.

This boundary point is located on Lake Xingkai (Lake Khanka on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 6.3km south southwest of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 71m, approximately 17.5km south southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 80m, and approximately 1km northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 70.3m (70.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the fifteenth boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line west northwest for approximately 69.8km, passing through Lake Xingkai (Lake Khanka on the Soviet Union map), until it reaches the sixteenth boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the centre line of Bailinghe estuary river (Tuli River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 7.7km southwest of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 102.6m (99.3m on the Soviet Union map), approximately 5km east southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 127.4m on the western ridge of Taishan, and approximately 13.8km north of Soviet territory on Kaqialuofuka Shan that sits at an altitude of 167.4m (166.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the sixteenth boundary point, the borderline follows the water flow or mainstream centre line of Bailinghe (Tuli River on the Soviet Union map) generally northwest, until it reaches the seventeenth boundary point.

This boundary point is on the water flow centre line of Bailinghe (Tuli River on the Soviet Union map) directly facing the west side of the mouth of a nameless ravine (the mouth of a nameless brook on the Soviet Union map) which flows into Bailinghe (Tuli River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 2.6km south-southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 217.5m, approximately 2.7km southwest of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 229.2m, and approximately 0.4km northeast of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 170.4m.

From the seventeenth boundary point, the border line follows along the abovementioned nameless ravine (nameless brook on the Soviet Union map) generally west for approximately 0.8km, then it follows the south ridge of the ravine generally west until it reaches the eighteenth boundary point.

This boundary point is located at an altitude of 176.5m (176m on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 2.6km south of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 217.5m, approximately 3.6km east of territory on Shuangding Shan that sits at an altitude of 179.4m (Yangzi Mountain on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 2.1km west northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 170.4m.

From the eighteenth boundary point, the borderline follows along the watershed between the tributary that flows into Mulinghe and the river that flows into Xingkai Lake (Lake Khanka on the Soviet Union map) heading generally southwest.

It passes through altitudes of 203.1m on Bafuluowa Shan (202.4m on Bafuluowasuobuka Shan on the Soviet Union map), 185.3m (184.8m on the Soviet Union map), 382.6m, 525.8m (525.8m on Kamiannushenka Shan on the Soviet Union map), 545.5m on Wanbao Shan (Remurina Shan on the Soviet Union map), 552.2m (554.2m on the Soviet Union map), 770.8m, 553.4m (532.9m on the Soviet Union map), 554.8m, 654.6m, until it reaches the nineteenth boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the abovementioned watershed.

It lies approximately 8.9km southeast of territory in China on Fengping Shan that sits at an altitude of 663.9m, approximately 4.5km west southwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 776.9m (775.7m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 6.1km west northwest of Soviet territory on Midewishenya Shan that sits at an altitude of 737.5m (736.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the nineteenth boundary point, the borderline follows watershed between the tributary that flows into the smaller Suifenhe River and the river that flows into Xingkai Lake (Lake Khanka on the Soviet Union map), generally southeast.

It passes through altitudes of 901.0m, 933.1 m (932.4m on the Soviet Union map) until it reaches the twentieth boundary point.

This boundary point is located at an altitude of 759.4m on the abovementioned watershed (758.9m on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 8.2 km east southeast of territory in China which sits at an altitude of 1008.3m (1008.3m on Tianlong Shan on the Soviet Union map), approximately 4.8 km north of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 917.3m, and approximately 3.5km northwest of Soviet territory on Kurziya Mountain that sits at an altitude of 727.9m (726.5m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twentieth boundary point, the borderline heads in a straight line south-southeast for approximately 73km, crossing the railway between China’s Suifenhe Station and the Soviet Union’s Grodekovo Station, until it reaches the twenty-first boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the left bank of the left tributary of Suifenhe (Razdolina River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 2.9km east of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 415.3m, approximately 5.8 km northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 240.9m (239.8m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 2.5km south of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 236.7m (236m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty first boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line along the original direction, crossing Dami Deyangdao (Boluowenkadao on the Soviet Union map) until it reaches the twenty second boundary point.

This boundary point is located at the intersection of this straight line and the right tributary of Suifenhe (Razdolina River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 3.9km east southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 415.3m, approximately 4.4km west northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 240.9m (239.8m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 2.1km north of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 105.4m (104.8m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty second boundary point, the border line traces the water flow centre line of Suifenhe’s right tributary, until it reaches the twenty third boundary point.

This boundary point is located at the intersection of the water flow centre line of this river’s right tributary and the Hubutu River’s (Gelanitenaya River on the Soviet Union map) water flow centre line.

It lies at approximately 3.0 km southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 415.3m, approximately 5.7km west of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 240.9m (239.8 on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 2.1 km northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 105.4m (104.8m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty third boundary point, the border line traces the water flow or main stream centre line of the Hubutu River (Gelanitenaya River on the Soviet Union map) generally South, then traces a nameless creek (Dewoyiruoyi Creek on the Soviet Union map) and continues along the ravine south southwest until it reaches the twenty fourth boundary point.

This boundary point is located at the intersection of the watershed between the Hubutu River (Gelanitenaya River on the Soviet Union map), the Qingniwa River and the Amuba River.

It lies about 10.3km east of territory in China on Xubaotou Mountain that sits at an altitude of 750.5m (770.5m on the Soviet Union map), approximately 4.4 km west southwest of Soviet territory on Sangdua Peak that sits at an altitude of 742.2m (741.1 on Boluojiaya Mountain on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 2.4 km north northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 695.1m (694.6m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty fourth boundary point, the border line follows the watershed between the tributary flowing into the Hunchun River and the river flowing into the sea, generally southward, passing through altitudes of 700.2m (698.0m on the Soviet Union map), 666.2m, 542.3m (541.7 on the Soviet Union map), 538.4m (538.7m on the Soviet Union map), and 511.8m (509.0m on the Soviet Union map), until it reaches the twenty fifth boundary point.

This boundary point is located at an altitude of 381.4m on the abovementioned watershed.

It lies approximately 4.9km southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 507.0m, approximately 3.6km west southwest of Soviet territory on Tuliankele Mountain that sits at an altitude of 473.9m (473.0 on Shenkelinaya Mountain on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 2.2km north northwest of Soviet territory on Songzhangmakelei Mountain that sits at an altitude of 507.4m (505.2m on Liyazhaenka Mountain on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty fifth boundary point, the border line continues along the abovementioned watershed generally west, then south, then west again, passing through altitudes of 596m, 595m (593.4m on the Soviet Union map), 425.4m (418.7 on Wuliteka Mountain on the Soviet Union map), 876.4m, 833.9m on Shenxian Peak (830.4 on Bo’erdigeluowaya Mountain on the Soviet Union map), until it reaches the twenty sixth boundary point.

This boundary point is located at an altitude of 388.8m (386.8m on Yaboluoke Mountain on the Soviet Union map) on the abovementioned watershed.

It lies approximately 6.5km east southeast of territory in China on Huolong mountain that sits at an altitude of 301.9m (Huolun mountain on the Soviet Union map), approximately 4.8km northeast of territory in China on Dongcao mountain that sits at an altitude of 467m (Dongzuo Mountain on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 1.9km west southwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 282.3m (280.0m on Keluoteshenka Mountain on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty sixth boundary point, the border line continues along the abovementioned watershed first generally west for about 1.6km, then turns and follows generally southeast along the watershed between a river heading west, that flows into the Tumen River (Tumanaya River on the Soviet Union map) and a river heading eastwards that flows into the sea.

It passes through altitudes on Dasanjiao Mountain of 374.2m (371.1m on the Soviet Union map), 694.6m (697.7m on Bo’erqiaoertewa Mountain on the Soviet Union map), then turns and heads west, until it reaches the twenty seventh boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the abovementioned watershed at an altitude of 123.6m (121.5m on Bogelaniqinaya Mountain on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 2km west of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 274m, approximately 3.3km west southwest of Soviet territory on Saha’ernayageluofuka that sits at an altitude of 89.9m (Saha’ernayageluofuka Mountain on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 6.4km south of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 177.8m (176.5m on Liedute Mountain on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty-seventh boundary point, the borderline continues along the abovementioned watershed generally southward, passing through altitudes of 89.2m (Miannisitaya Mountain on the Soviet Union map), until it reaches Ba’er Bashen Mountain at an altitude of 303.3m (303.5 on the Soviet Union map).

Then, the border line continues on the abovementioned watershed generally west for approximately 3.5km, then turns south, until it reaches the twenty eighth boundary point.

This boundary point is located on the abovementioned watershed, it lies approximately 2km southwest of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 86.6m (unknown mountain 1 on the Soviet Union map), approximately 1.4km west southwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 27.7m (29.9m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 6.2km west northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 194.0m (192.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty eighth boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line southwards for 1.8km, until it reaches the twenty ninth boundary point.

This boundary point lies approximately 3.6km south southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 86.6m (unknown mountain 1 on the Soviet Union map), approximately 2.8km south southwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 27.7m (29.9m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 6.2km west of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 194.0m high (192.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the twenty ninth boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line southeast for 3.5km, until it reaches the thirtieth boundary point.

This boundary point lies approximately 2.3km northeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 77.1m high on Shacao Peak (unknown mountain 1 on the Soviet Union map), approximately 1.9km west of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 125m (125.5m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 3.7km west southwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 194m (192.9m on the Soviet Union map).

From the thirtieth boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line south for 1.8km, until it reaches the thirty first boundary point.

This boundary point lies approximately 1.2km east of territory in China on Shacao Peak that sits at an altitude of 77.1m (unknown mountain 2 on the Soviet Union map), approximately 2.8km southwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 125m (125.5m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 4.7km northwest of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 61.6m (60.3m on the Soviet Union map).

From the thirty first boundary point, the border line follows the watershed between Lake Khasan and Tumen River (Tumanaya River on the Soviet Union map) first generally south, passing 155.1m high Zhangu Peak, (157.3m Zhaa’oujiao’ernaya Mountain on the Soviet Union map, then turns southeast, until it reaches the thirty second boundary point.

This boundary point is on the left bank of Tumen River (Tumanaya River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 2.8km east southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 58.5m (unknown mountain 3 on the Soviet Union map), approximately 1.9km south southeast of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 61.6m (60.3m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 9.0km west of Soviet territory on Guoluminiwujiaoshi Mountain that sits at an altitude of 182.0m (180.3m on the Soviet Union map).

From the thirty second boundary point, the border line heads in a straight line generally south for approximately 0.1km along the left bank of Tumen River (Tumanaya River on the Soviet Union map), then it follows the vertical water flow centre line of Tumen River (Tumanaya River on the Soviet Union map) until it reaches the thirty third boundary point.

This boundary point is at the intersection of the abovementioned vertical line and the water flow centre line of Tumen River (Tumanaya River on the Soviet Union map).

It lies approximately 2.8km southeast of territory in China that sits at an altitude of 58.5m (unknown mountain 3 on the Soviet Union map), approximately 2.0km south of Soviet territory that sits at an altitude of 61.6m (60.3m on the Soviet Union map), and approximately 9.2km west of Soviet territory on Guoluminiwujiaoshi Mountain that sits at an altitude of 182.0m (180.3m on the Soviet Union map).

The abovementioned Sino-Soviet borderline is marked with a red line onto maps of China and the Soviet Union with a scale of 1:100,000.

The lengths used in the description of the national boundary are measured from these maps.

The above-mentioned map of China and the Soviet Union with the red line marking the Sino-Soviet boundary is attached to this Agreement and is an integral part thereof.

Article 3

The Contracting Parties agree to continue negotiations on the direction of the eastern section of the Sino-Soviet boundary, from the seventh to the eighth boundary points, and from the tenth to the eleventh boundary points, in accordance with Article 1 of this Agreement.

Article 4

In order to clarify and determine the borderline that is described in Article 2 of this agreement, the Contracting Parties decided to establish a joint demarcation committee on the basis of reciprocity, and to give this committee the task of boundary surveying.

This committee will be in charge of determining the exact location of the main channel centreline, river centreline or main stream centreline, and in accordance with Article 5 of this Agreement, will determine the ownership of the islands and islets in the centre of the rivers.

It will also establish landmarks, draw up boundary surveying documents, draw up detailed boundary surveying maps, as well as resolving and completing each of the specific tasks mentioned above.

Article 5

The Contracting Parties agree on the borderline that is described in Article 2 of this agreement, the navigable river that follows the main channel centre line, and the non-navigable river that follows the river or mainstream centre line.

The exact location of the main channel and what is regarded as the borderline’s main channel, the river centre line or the mainstream centre line, thus divide the islands and islets in the river and the section of the watershed that the borderline follows along will be specifically determined at the time of Sino-Soviet boundary surveying.

The main channel is determined by the water depth, combined with the channel width and the radius of curvature, in addition to comprehensive consideration.

The main channel centre line indicates the centre line between the two corresponding isobaths of the main channel.

The main stream is primarily determined by the river flow rate at the mid-water level.

Article 6

The Contracting Parties agree that the boundary line on the ground between China and the Soviet Union shall also be divided vertically into the sky and the subsoil.

Article 7

Any natural changes that may occur on the boundary river do not affect the location of the Sino-Soviet boundary line and the ownership of the islands assigned in the field, unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.

After the demarcation of the boundary line of the boundary river, any newly emerging islands in the boundary river will be divided according to the demarcation line.

If the newly emerging islands are located on the boundary of the assigned boundary, the two sides shall consult based on fairness and reasonableness to determine their ownership.

Article 8

The Contracting Parties agree that vessels of all types, including military vessels, may navigate unobstructed from the Ussuri River (Ussuri River) through Khabarovsk City to Heilongjiang (Amur River).

The competent authorities of both sides shall be responsible for regulation of navigation.

Article 9

The Soviet side and its related side agrees that Chinese vessels (carrying the Chinese flag) can navigate back and forth along Tumenjiang (Tumanaya River), which is described after the thirty third boundary point narrated in article 2 of this agreement.

This specific issue related to sailing shall be resolved by consultation from both parties.

Article 10

This Agreement shall be subject to ratification and shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of the instruments of ratification.

The instruments of ratification shall be exchanged as soon as possible in Beijing.

On the 16th May 1991, this agreement was drawn up in Moscow, and two identical copies were made, each contract is written in both Chinese and Russian and both version is equally valid.

People’s Republic of China Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

Plenipotentiary Plenipotentiary

Qian Qichen Alexander Bessmertnykh

(Signed name) (Signed name)