It was announced this week that China and Russia have settled a territorial dispute that has been going on for decades. In the landmark treaty Russia will return half of the Heixiazi Dao Island (Bolshoy Ussuriysky in Russian) and the entire Yinlong Dao Island (Abagaitu or Tarabarov), both of which are located on the Ussuri river.  In turn China is surrender some disputed territory in Siberia.

The dispute began in 1929 when Russia took control of Heixiazi and the Yinlong Islands in 1929, but naturally this had not been accepted by China. Over the last several decades Russia governed the islands as a part of Khabarovsk Krai. Conversely, China claimed them as a part of Fuyuan County, Heilongjiang province, and the easternmost part of China.

Its great to see that diplomacy has won out in this scenario and both parties were able to come to a mutually agreeable decision. To read the full story visit the China Post.