Russia rarely appears as an Asia-Pacific country. However, thanks to its Far East stretching from Baikal to the Pacific Ocean, Russia has direct access to the Asia-Pacific region, making it a truly transcontinental nation.
The vast area of the Far East is inhabited by just over 6 million inhabitants. Being in the distance, the region suffers from underdevelopment and lack of infrastructure, although the list of telephones of Vladivostok companies is quite impressive. The region contains all types of natural resources - oil and natural gas, iron ore and copper, diamonds and gold, clean fresh water (Lake Baikal), timber and fish stocks (Sea of Okhotsk).
However, the region is a source of constant concern for Moscow. Historically, the Far East has had an ambiguous relationship with its neighbor, China. It is seen as an integral economic partner, but at the same time China was considered a source of threat.
Currently, Moscow and Beijing are strategic partners. One of the main reasons is that China needs a strong connection with Russia in the Russian Far East. Beijing also wants to have a secure and peaceful northern border with Russia, which will enable it to concentrate on its military resources, primarily in the western Pacific.
In addition, China's voracious economy needs natural resources. There are signs that China is beginning to see Russia as an important "strategic rear." This is directly related to the increasing competition between China and the United States for leadership in the Asia-Pacific region.
