Any future BRI projects involving Crimea would further solidify and fully integrate the peninsula into Russia's hold after its annexation from Ukraine following the 2014 referendum.

During a ceremony at the Russian Embassy in Beijing on Monday, the head of the association of Chinese compatriots on the peninsula, Ge Zhili, made the following formal statements: "Our organization is bolstering cooperation ties, exchanges and friendly contacts with the Crimean society." Not incidentally the event marked the "fifth anniversary of Crimea's reunification with Russia."