Russia’s ‘eastward pivot’ gains steam as Putin confirms new China border railway

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a deal to build a second standard-gauge railway track at a key border crossing with China, as Moscow looks to accelerate its eastward pivot and boost ties with Beijing ahead of the Apec summit.

According to a document posted on Russia’s official legislative information portal on Monday, Putin has now signed a law ratifying the railway deal reached with Beijing during the Russian leader’s visit to China in May.

The two sides have agreed to...