bridges Siberia and the Far East of Russia
The country's top diplomat denied Moscow was aiming to develop relations in Asia at the expense of contacts with Europe.
The navigator, who served in the Navy of Peter the Great, gave his name to the Bering Strait, the Bering Sea, Bering Island, Bering Glacier and Bering Bridge.
Focus placed on the Far East of Russia, with duty-free zone, tax incentives, and lower costs for ships.
The new 6.5 kilometre rail link will open in 2017 across the world's 10th longest river.
New rail bridge linking the two countries symbolizes closest-ever economic co-operation between neighbors.
He emphasised the importance of the economically buoyant Asian-Pacific region as critical to the development of Russia as Western markets stall.
Long-held dream for a crossing at Yakutsk gets a boost from China.
Putin fires top official in Russian Far East, and calls for Investigative Committee to check how authorities performing.
Sent to Siberia
Born in Siberia
