Comparative Analysis of Transport Infrastructure Development in China and Russia: Prospects for Cooperation
Authors: Shamanina E. A. , Letnikova S. N. , Zavyalov A. D. 
Published: August 2024

Introduction. This research examines the state and trends in the development of transportation infrastructure in Russia and China. The practice of implementing project initiatives to create transportation infrastructure facilities in Russia and China is presented, as well as the experience of joint crossborder projects, including those implemented on the principles of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), in order to identify prospects for deepening RussianChinese cooperation.

Materials and methods. Russian and Chinese official policy documents, analytical reports and statistical data from the World Bank, the Global Infrastructure Hub agency, the China Public-Private Partnerships Center, the Russian National Center for PPP, the Russian ROSINFRA infrastructure project support platform, as well as Russian and Chinese media sources were used as materials for the research.

The research methodology is based on a theoretical and statistical analysis of the specifics of the development of the transportation sector infrastructure within the framework of the implementation of national programs and development strategies of Russia and China, as well as the organization of joint cross-border projects. In the course of the research, expert and survey methods were used, as well as comparative analysis techniques. The results of the research are based on the application of a systematic approach and other scientific methods, such as the method of grouping, generalization, classification, analogy, comparison, formalization. The study also uses descriptive methods based on the collection and study of practical examples of the implementation of projects for the development of the transportation sector in Russia and China.

Research results. Comparing the state of the transportation infrastructure of Russia and China, and conducting a sociological survey on the possibilities of Russian-Chinese cooperation in the field of infrastructure, the authors found that the infrastructure of the transportation sector has the greatest prospect for strengthening cooperation between both countries. The analysis of a number of priority joint cross-border projects revealed the problems of lack of budgetary funds and the growing increase in the burden on the state budget in the allocation of expenditures for financing infrastructure projects. In this regard, the authors proposed a PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) mechanism as a source of additional financing to support the development of transportation infrastructure, as well as its use to deepen bilateral cooperation between China and Russia in the framework of cross-border infrastructure projects.

Discussion and conclusion. In the course of the research, it was found that the potential for cooperation between Russia and China is observed in relation to the implementation of joint infrastructure projects, in particular the development of certain transportation industries. And one of the promising tools for the development of the transportation sectors of Russia and China, as well as ensuring sustainable growth of the economies of both countries, may be the implementation of cross-border projects. The study demonstrates that for the current period, Russia and China have already developed experience in the field of joint cross-border projects.

However, with the continuing burden on the state budget and the reduction of budget expenditures for the development of the infrastructure complex, which, as it was found in the research, leads to an increase in the problem of the infrastructure gap, additional sources of financing are needed. In order to solve this problem, the authors proposed a PPP format for the implementation of joint cross-border projects. The authors have revealed that interaction between states with the attraction of private investment can help accelerate innovation, increase efficiency, as well as deepen and expand RussianChinese cooperation.