SHANGHAI, May 20. /ITAR-TASS/. Rail networks of Russia and China will run closer together under major plans to co-ordinate routes, border crossings and infrastructure.

President of state-run monopoly Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin and the general manager of China Railway Corporation, Sheng Guangzu, have charted the future in a strategic co-operation agreement, the Russian operator’s press service said on Tuesday.

Network planners will develop border-crossing points between Russia and China, upgrading infrastructure in these locations to increase traffic capacity and oil the wheels of international transport.

Logistics and technologies will speed container transport by scheduling regular timetable services. Competitive tariffs will be introduced for transit routes between China, Russia and Europe, and new terminal and warehouse complexes built on key routes.

New pricing policy and promotional packages will be developed to generate ticket sales, the parties say.

Last year's border traffic between Russia and China grew 8% to almost 30.5 million tonnes, comprising 27.9 million tonnes of exports and 2.5 million tonnes of imports.