Manchuri

cctv.com 10-13-2004 14:58

Manchuri is a name translated from Manchulia in Russian. It is the most far north city in China along the border. It used to be the first train stop on the way from Russian excess to China. In the earth 20s, the historical railway development connected these two countries, it linked city to city, tided a special node between Russian and Chinese in centuries.

Border Gate is another site open to tourists.

A nice distinctive city increases the already highly engaged business activities between Russia and China. Today at the border, thousands of Russian comes to China through Manchuri border on a daily basis. Today, even uniformed border troopers become a tourist attraction.

Most of the heavy duty trains fulfilled with Russian merchants. They brought in quality materials to the fast growing market, and bighearted Russian friendship.

Shopping malls, commercial strips and souvenir stores are the main business on the street level.

There is no language barrier; foreign currency does not need to exchange in the bank. Each merchant salesman will do the business transaction right on the spot swiftly. Oh, by the way, fur and leather products are very welcomed by costumers.

鈥淐amel troop鈥is a common term used by locals to descript Russian small quantity traders. They come to shop quick, pack heavy and always travel by bus. Russian entrepreneurs hire these so-called camels, they are shipping labors, come to China for purchasing.

Commercial trucks, large load vehicles are coming in and out Manchuri 7 days a week. The border is open from 7 am to 6 pm everyday. There are two checkpoints are constantly full of activity, immigration and custom. Due to the heavy traffic, drivers are always in a hurry to process their paper work. The post is busy with passage but in order with operation.

The historical museum demonstrates the past of Manchuri and Mongolian culture. Variation of exhibits can trace the city back to the Stone Age.

Throughout the history Gengkhishan overruled Europe including Russia for decades, and then Russian military occupied northern china fight over Japanese in the 19 centuries, on the invariable land Mongolian never stopped nomadic life in between the two largest countries at all time. Also in the history, from Mongolian ancestor Zhalainuir to Xianbei to Gengkishan, on critical time period, from Nibuchu Agreement to Zhongdong railway development to business trading lately; Manchuri always played an important roll supporting numerous heroes to accomplish their olden times missions.

Manchuria between the years 1895 and 1914 was under greater foreign control than any other major part of China. Russia and Japan competed fiercely to achieve this control, creating spheres of influence at China's expense and at each other's. The destructive Russo-Japanese War convinced the two powers of the need to work together and to exclude China from exercising real power over Manchuria.

Excepting the 1858/1860 Russian Treaties, which cut deeply into 'Greater Manchuria' China had been relatively successful in restricting foreign activity to its coastal regions, treaty ports and parts of its tribute world.

American interest in railways in Manchuria which reached a peek under Secretary of State Philander Knox forced the two old enemies to work together. The Russian-Japanese Treaty of July 1907 publicly marked off their spheres of influence and respected the "independence and territorial integrity of the Empire of China." Secretly the two countries agreed to respect only each other's rights and powers and to defend the status quo against China.

Every one of the city sculptures designed with the concept of letter M stands for Manchuri, Mongolian history and it鈥檚 integrated with magnificent Russian influence. The hardcore of city management is tailored towards trading and exporting.

Studying Russian and teaching Chinese is another unique element of city planning. Most language schools are well equipped and managed. Long-term learning program is available that schools provide dormitory for international students.

Tuyana studied Chinese in Russia and Beijing for two years. A month ago, she decided to move to China for refurbishing her teaching career. There are also many Russian youth come to study Chinese. The school offers short term training in the summer holiday.

Natasha on the other hand has a long history of exploring China. She along with Russian educators greeted Mao Ze Dong in the 50s at city Chida. To me, she is a thoughtful and experienced teacher who reminded me my deprived childhood.

In between of Hulun and Bear Lakes is a bird observation site. Every year in the summer time, thousands of birds come to enjoy the ecosystem that creates a perfect form between genuine landscape and human.

The Manchuri International Hotel is a trademark of the city. On the first floor, the space is cluttered with boutique shops, beauty saloon, and fashion stores. Not only for the in house costumers, every shopper can enjoy the hotel facility such as gym, swimming pool and massage service. Within the building, diverse restaurants and bars on the second and third floor provide entertainment events to all interests.

You may have never been a small town like this functioned with so many restaurants and hotels. Most of the commercial signs, street names, and public identities are bilingual. At the night the restaurants will show of their specialties to attract costumers. Pop music, live band, skilled dance group from Russia and some even come with various liquor menus. Manchuri is a booming city not only in its international trading business, it also forms a new lifestyle for everyone to live and enjoy.

Editor:Chen Zhuo  Source:CCTV.com