STORY: Cross-border tourism vitalizes border city in NE China
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 15, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 20, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:23
LOCATION: HARBIN, China
CATEGORY: SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. STANDUP (English): LIU YITONG, Xinhua correspondent
2. various of Heihe
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): Russian tourist
4. various of morning market in Heihe
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): Russian tourist
6. various of russian tourists receiving acupuncture
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Russian): Russian tourist
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): GUI YE, Head of the Acupuncture and Tuina Department, Heihe Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital
9. various of Heihe

STORYLINE:

Located on the China-Russian border, Heihe faces Blagoveshchensk City across the Heilongjiang River. In recent years, Heihe has become an increasingly popular destination for Russian tourists.

STANDUP (English): LIU YITONG, Xinhua correspondent
"Good morning everyone! Here I am in Heihe City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Located on the China-Russia border, Heihe faces Blagoveshchensk City in Russia across the Heilongjiang River, with more and more Russian people roaming on its streets. Why do these Russian tourists come to China? What attracts them to this city? Let's hear about their answers."

With visa-free group tours to Heihe, a city in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, resuming in September 2023, a surge in Russian tourists has fueled the border city's economy in myriad ways.

For many Russians from Blagoveshchensk, crossing the border to shop at Heihe's morning market has become part of their daily life.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Russian): Russian tourist
"Everything (here in Heihe) is great. Customs is very convenient, and the border-crossing process is quick. It's very interesting to stroll around this beautiful city. The food here is delicious, and I really enjoy being here."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Russian): Russian tourist
"In the morning, Chinese delicacies are sold at the market here. There's a local Chinese soup that really attracts us. After a short break, my whole family came to explore the morning market. It's a culinary journey."

Besides visiting morning markets, savoring local food, and shopping, more and more Russians have come to Heihe for medical treatments and traditional Chinese medicine, recommending therapies such as acupuncture and massage to their friends and families.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Russian): Russian tourist
"We received acupuncture treatment and cupping therapy. After the treatment, I felt much better. Heihe is a very beautiful city. It's clean and tidy. I would like to come back again next time."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Chinese): GUI YE, Head of the Acupuncture and Tuina Department, Heihe Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital
"Since the beginning of this year, our hospital has treated over 400 Russian patients. About 25 to 30 of the Russian patients came to our acupuncture department, while others sought treatments like massage, cupping, and traditional Chinese medicine."

According to the Heihe border inspection station, as of August 12, the Heihe Port recorded over 440,000 entries and exits this year, a year-on-year increase of more than 160 percent.

In late July, average daily crossings reached over 4,000, up 90 percent from the yearly average.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Harbin, China.
(XHTV)