The Issue of ‘Heixiazi Island’ on the Eastern Border Between China and the Soviet Union (Russia)

Abstract

In order to resolve the bilateral land border issue, from 1964 to 2004, the governments of China and the Soviet Union (Russia) held four rounds of diplomatic negotiations, and finally resolved this historical issue that affects the healthy development of bilateral relations by delimiting the border between China and Russia which is about 4,300 kilometers long. Due to its special nature and historical status, the issue of Heixiazi Island has always been an important factor affecting the historical process and even the outcome of Sino-Soviet (Russian) border negotiations. This article mainly reviews the negotiation history of the Heixiazi Island issue and analyzes the positions and viewpoints held by China and the Soviet Union during the negotiations. A brief comment is also made on the settlement of the Heixiazi Island issue through negotiations from the perspective of international law.