China's Jilin province now has a regional development roadmap that is part of the country's Belt and Road initiative and includes the two other northeastern provinces, on March 28.

The initiative puts emphasis on economic cooperation with Russia's Far East region in infrastructure and land-sea transport, especially around major ports.

The plan calls for "increased cooperation between China’s Heilongjiang, Jilin and Liaoning provinces and Russia’s Far East in multifaceted transport and construction of a Eurasian high-speed transport corridor linking Beijing and Moscow".

Train from Russia arriving at Jilin’s Hunchun Railway Station marking the opening of the Hunchun - Makharino Railway. [Photo provided to ejilin.gov.cn]

In all, China has 18 provinces and autonomous regions included in the belt-road initiative, including those along the old Silk Road such as Shaanxi and Xinjiang, and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region and Tibet autonomous region.

China's belt-road plan has the backing of the National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Commerce, with State Council's authorization.