Russia is stepping up plans to develop its vast far eastern region, including controversial plans for a US$10 billion agricultural joint venture with China and expanded fishing around the Kuril Islands, which are claimed by Japan. Many Russians are wary of Chinese investment, which they see as aimed at usurping the vast resource wealth of the Russian Far East. There are also exaggerated stories of illegal Chinese immigrants taking over Russian land. Moscow is therefore insisting that Russians make up 80% of the workforce in Chinese investment projects.
