Russia gives territory to China, ending border dispute

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia ended a decades-old border dispute with China on Tuesday by giving it a stretch of river island territory in a ceremony symbolising the Cold War rivals’ warming ties.

Chinese and Russian flags were raised and new border markers erected as part of the handover at China’s far northeastern tip near the Russian city of Khabarovsk, Interfax news agency reported.

A Russian border guard unit withdrew from what is now Chinese territory, leaving behind an empty headquarters and barracks buildings, Interfax said.