In addition, Vladimir Putin took part via a videoconference in laying the first stone of Rosneft Eastern Petrochemical Plant in Nakhodka. The plant will supply its products to customers in the Russian Far East and export to the Asia-Pacific markets.
After that Vladimir Putin opened a Mazda car assembly line at the Sollers plant in Vladivostok.
Later the President visited Russky Island, where he reviewed progress in the construction of a seaquarium, which is being built on his initiative. Apart from being a tourist attraction, the seaquarium will serve as a research facility. Vladimir Putin also toured a laboratory for breeding fish and octopuses and saw a centre for training white whales.
After that Vladimir Putin toured various APEC summit sights, including International Press Centre, which will become the base for 2,000 journalists covering the APEC events. The President also spoke with volunteers involved in the preparations for the summit and took a walk along the Russky Islan embankment.
The purpose of the President’s working trip to the Far East is to take part in the APEC 2012 Forum, which Russia is hosting for the first time. The international forum will be held on Russky Island on September 7–9, 2012.