Russia and China may create cross-border areas inside the Land of Leopard national park, established in the Primorye Territory in 2011, for the protection of the Far Eastern leopard and the Amur tiger, both listed in the Red Book, said Valery Orlov, division head of the Department of State Policy and Regulation of Hunting and Wildlife.

"The Land of Leopard national park was established in the Primorye Territory in 2011 to preserve the leopard and the Amur tiger. We're planning to create cross-border conservation areas with China inside the national park to help preserve tigers and leopards in China," Valery Orlov reported after the meeting of experts on environmental protection held as part of the APEC Forum.

He noted that rare species of flora and fauna are the most vulnerable components of biodiversity and that the distribution of individual animals and plants is not limited to the borders of one particular country.

Valery Orlov also said that environmental issues had not been discussed by the APEC economies since 1994. Other priority issues related to the economy were discussed, whereas now environmental problems are considered a priority issue too. "During the discussions, ministers will work out a joint statement on these issues. The countries will be guided by this document in their work," he said.