evidence: It has been pointed out that the 19th century treaties were not specific about the ownership of the border river islands. They only broadly mentioned that the rivers formed the boundary, but were not very clear about the exact demarcation of the boundary. The persisting dispute regarding the Bear island or Bolshoi Ussurisky in Russian and Heixiazi Dao in Chinese, overlooking Khabarovsk (maps 7 and 8) stalled the progress till 1988. The island has a small permanent population and a number of weekend cottages. The Soviets/Russians fear that the surrender of the island would put at risk the security of Khabarovsk. They claim the ownership of the island on the basis of long period of occupancy and the proximity to Khabarovsk. The Chinese claim the island in pursuance of the thalweg principle. In return they offered to preserve Soviet access and respect the property rights of the Russians owning homes in the island. They also offered to keep the island demilitarised to assuage Russian security concerns. But there was no agreement and both sides agreed to disagree. [...] Bol'shoi Ussuriskii island (Bear island in English and Heixiazi in Chinese) is situated close to Khabarovsk between the main channel of Amur and its Kazakevicheva channel. It is important for the potato- supply of Khabarovsk citizens, who have family gardens there. In the central part of the island is a large summer grazing field. In the northern part, facing the Amur, is a military polygon (firing range). The Russians fear that if the island is in Chinese hands, Khabarovsk can be bombarded from a distance of 2.5 km. Adjacent to Bolshoi Ussuriskii is Tarabarov island.