HARBIN - The Sino-Russian border island of Heixiazi is expected to welcome tourists in late July, a local official said.

Bo Xiru, chief of the tourism bureau of northeastern Heilongjiang province, said the public-works projects being built in the section of Chinese territory on the island are nearly complete, and the first group of tourists received on the island may set foot there on July 20.

With their natural beauty, a boundary marker and former Russian military camp there are expected to attract tourists as well, Bo said.