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Zabaikalsk and Manzhouli: Dynamic asymmetry
The twin cities of Zabaikalsk (Trans-Baikal Krai, Russia) and Manzhouli (Inner Mongolia, China) are examples of sharp asymmetry in twin-city development on a contrasting ethno-cultural boundary. Despite their relatively short history of about 100 years, they have undergone tremendous geopolitical changes. Manzhouli and Zabaikalsk emerged as outposts of Russia’s colonization of Manchuria. Initially, both were modest villages near railway stations. With World War II’s termination, they became strategically important transit points for transferring massive Soviet economic aid to communist China. Then, for many years, they were doomed to being closed garrisons facing each other. After the USSR collapsed, they became again transhipment bases for powerful trade flows, and intensive, but peculiar, interactions were restored between them. However, Zabaikalsk has changed little in past decades, while by the early 21st century, Manzhouli had become a substantial city thanks to the skilful use of border rent and post-Soviet Russia’s proximity. This chapter analyses the historical dynamics, and reasons for Zabaikalsk and Manzhouli’s asymmetry as a characteristic twin-city feature and their functions, some derived from Russo-Chinese interactions, others focused on the domestic market. Special attention is paid to current geopolitical factors and sustainability of development based on border rent.