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they transport it by rail to major timber collection and distribution centres for wholesale. In recent years, due tothe growth of timber processing enterprises at border cities, in addition to importing timber directly from Russia,some enterprises also purchase timber locally.As stated earlier, Russian timber is imported into China via railroad at three major points: the cities of Suifenhe,Manzhouli, and Erlianhot. These are the first-level markets and each is structured differently to take advantageof their respective geographic locations and distribution networks.Suifenhe market: Suifenhe imports more Russian timber than any other city in China (Table 7). In 2004, 5.92million cu. m of logs and 101,100 cu. m of sawnwood was imported, accounting for 34.8% and 12.6% of China’stotal imports of Russian timber, respectively. One important characteristic of Suifenhe is that it imports a lot ofRussian hardwood. According to Suifenhe customs statistics, in the first half of 2004, hardwood timber importstotalled 880,000 cubic meters.In 2004 according to Russian statistics, China imported 2.22 million cu. m. ofRussian hardwood timber in total, making Suifenhe by far the largest import point for Russian hardwood.Suifenhe also has a relatively developed processing industry. Almost half of all timber imported to Suifenhe isprocessed locally before being distributed in the form of sawnwood, laminated lumber, unfinished floor and solidwoodfurniture (mainly softwood dining tables and chairs) to other parts of the country. Initial investigations indicatethat most of the timber from Suifenhe flows to the northeast (especially the port city of Dalian), the north andcoastal areas of eastern China, and only small volumes to other regions. Much of the timber sent to Dalian isprocessed further to produce products such as solid-wood furniture and flooring and exported to foreign countries.Manzhouli market: Manzhouli ranks second to Suifenhe in Russian timber import volumes. In 2004, this totalled5.8 million cu. m, of which, including 5.45 million cu. m of logs and 349,900 cu. m of sawnwood, accounting for34.1% and 43.7%, respectively, of total Russian timber imports. The timber processing industry of Manzhouli isless developed than in Suifenhe, but growing quickly. Nevertheless, about 90% of the timber exported fromManzhouli is roundwood. It mainly goes to northeast, north, east and central China, with only small volumes tothe south and southwest regions (Figure 19).Erlianhot market: Erlianhot ranks third after Suifenhe and Manzhouli in terms of import of Russian timber. In 2004,2.2 million cu. m of logs, and 109,200 cu. m of sawnwood was imported, accounting for 13% and 13.6%, respectively,of total imports. This is mainly Mongolian Scotch pine (75%), spruce (16%), and larch (4.7%), and birch(only 56,000 cu. m or 2.5%). Since Erlianhot is located in the western part of Inner Mongolia, comparatively closeto northwest and southwest regions, the timber is sold directly (via railway) to Baotou, Yinchuan, Lanzhou, Xining,Xi’an and the southwest (Sichuan and Chongqing) regions, with only small volumes to Hebei and Beijing.Table 7.Russian tree species imported through Suifenhe, first half of 2004.Species Import volume (cu. m) % Import value ($) %Amur cork-tree 14 0.01 770 0.01Scots pine 791 0.03 125,417 0.05Maple 849 0.03 67,980 0.03Beech 884 0.03 253,168 0.10Manchurian walnut 2,433 0.09 284,744 0.12Korean pine 30,783 1.13 2,714,377 0.12Siberian elm 63,343 2.32 6,172,951 2.55Poplar 87,835 3.22 5,135,725 2.12Fir 10,021 3.67 6,790,993 2.81Linden 141,441 5.19 17,473,949 7.23Birch 167,104 6.13 11,150,207 4.61Xylosma 193,211 7.08 38,598,765 15.96Ash 228,699 8.38 43,074,663 17.81Mongolian pine 376,337 13.80 25,558,045 10.57Larch 607,834 22.28 36,988,906 15.30Spruce 726,092 26.62 47,442,653 19.62Total 2,727,671 100 241,833,313 10021