Heilongjiang's Heihe is an emerging port city that thrives on its economic cooperation with Russia. According to Zhang Enliang, the mayor of Heihe, Russia is seeking more business opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region, especially China, which means more opportunities for the city's development.

Zhang said the city's location is its largest advantage in its cooperation with Russia. Located in the northern part of the province, Heihe is one river - the famed Heilongjiang - away from Blagoveshchensk in Russia's Amurskaya region.

The city was an important trading port throughout history and has been doing business with Russia for more than 130 years.