文/华侬农（上官）

2025.9.13

登珲春龙湖阁，凭栏望图们江。江发长白山东麓，穿吉黑两省，东注日本海。

史载其为东北通日本海黄金水道。明清至清末，商船络绎，通邮通商鼎盛，乃边疆经贸命脉。今江涛依旧，唯见三江界碑峙立，俄朝桥横江面，距入海口咫尺，我舟难越涛声。

极目四方，景象迥异：俄境田荒草蔓，朝鲜屋矮村疏；东南海参崴，旧土隔海，触目刺心。转望我方，楼群栉比，产业园机声彻耳；道宽车驰，游人接踵、物流穿梭，百姓面漾笑意，两相比照，心绪翻涌。

追昔，清室腐朽，国弱民贫，沙俄逼签《瑷珲》《北京》二约，强割百万疆土。图江出海口封锁，黄金水道断航，海参崴亦易主。吴大澄力争移“土”字碑，终难破困局。弱国受辱，一纸约锁江锁东北出路，此憾至今揪心。

而今中国非昔时。改革开放，国力日强，居世界第二，通航之愿愈切。我方盼数十载，谈判推进多年，然领土之事涉历史经纬与三方现实，复杂待解。幸高层强力协调，三方已有开端，盼靴子早落地。

时处文明时代，对公平正义之求愈切；见家国日兴，紧迫感愈烈；亲历民族崛起，自豪感愈滚烫。盼出海口，非强权索求，乃正当诉求，更是三方共赢之望。

抚今追昔，为昔时屈辱扼腕，为今日强盛自豪，更知破局在自强。对内当夯东北产业根基，密沿边交通网络；对外需以平等为基、耐心为桥，尊三方利益磋商。领土事无捷径，实力硬则话语重，诚意足则合作远。

江涛拍岸百年，似吟“落后必挨打，强盛方自主”。爱国情燃于胸，为铭记过往，更为聚力向前。盼他日三方共识落定，江闸大开，货轮破浪东行，昔日遗憾成东北振兴助力，图们江涛声，伴民族复兴号角，奔向远海。

Reflections on Visiting the Estuary of the Tumen River

By Huanongnong (Shangguan)

September 13, 2025

I climbed Longhu Pavilion in Hunchun, leaning on the railing to gaze at the Tumen River. Originating from the eastern foot of the Changbai Mountains, the river flows through Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces before emptying eastward into the Sea of Japan.

Historical records note it was a golden waterway connecting Northeast China to the Sea of Japan. From the Ming and Qing dynasties to the late Qing period, merchant ships traveled in an endless stream, and the river thrived as a hub for mail and trade—forming the economic lifeline of the border region. Today, the river’s waves remain unchanged, yet only the boundary monument marking the junction of three rivers stands tall, and a bridge between Russia and North Korea spans the river. Though within sight of the estuary, Chinese ships can barely cross the roaring waves.

Looking far into the distance, the scenes differ sharply: in Russian territory, farmland lies barren and overgrown with weeds; in North Korea, houses are low and villages sparse. To the southeast, Vladivostok—once Chinese territory—lies across the sea, a sight that pierces the heart. Turning to China’s side, rows of buildings stand closely packed, and the hum of machinery fills the industrial parks; wide roads bustle with vehicles, tourists throng in crowds, and logistics flow continuously. The people wear smiles on their faces. This stark contrast stirs a whirlwind of emotions.

Recalling the past: the decayed Qing government left the nation weak and its people poor. Tsarist Russia forced the signing of the Aigun Treaty and the Beijing Treaty, seizing over one million square kilometers of territory. The Tumen River’s estuary was blocked, halting navigation on the golden waterway, and Vladivostok also changed hands. Wu Dacheng fought hard to relocate the "Tu" (Earth) boundary monument, but ultimately failed to break the deadlock. A weak nation endures humiliation—a single treaty locked the river and blocked Northeast China’s path forward, a regret that still gnaws at the heart today.

Today’s China is no longer what it once was. Through reform and opening-up, national strength has grown steadily, ranking second in the world, and the desire to reopen navigation has grown ever stronger. China has awaited this for decades, and negotiations have advanced for years. However, territorial issues involve historical context and the practical realities of three parties, making them complex and pending resolution. Fortunately, senior leaders have coordinated strongly, and the three parties have made a preliminary start—we eagerly await the final resolution.

In this era of civilization, the pursuit of fairness and justice has grown more urgent; witnessing the nation’s rising prosperity has intensified our sense of urgency; and experiencing the nation’s rejuvenation has filled us with burning pride. The hope for access to the estuary is not an unreasonable demand for power, but a legitimate claim—and more importantly, an aspiration for win-win cooperation among the three parties.

Reflecting on the past and present, I sigh with grief at the humiliation of bygone days and feel proud of today’s national strength. I also understand that breaking the deadlock lies in self-reliance. Domestically, we must consolidate the industrial foundation of Northeast China and expand the border transportation network; internationally, we need to base interactions on equality, build bridges with patience, and negotiate while respecting the interests of all three parties. There are no shortcuts to territorial issues—strong strength lends weight to words, and sufficient sincerity fosters long-term cooperation.

For a century, the river’s waves have crashed against the shores, as if murmuring, "Backwardness invites attack; only strength brings autonomy." Patriotic passion burns in my chest—not just to remember the past, but more so to unite our efforts for the future. I hope that one day, when consensus is reached among the three parties, the river gates will open wide, cargo ships will break through the waves and sail eastward, and the regrets of the past will become a driving force for Northeast China’s revitalization. May the Tumen River’s waves, accompanied by the clarion call of national rejuvenation, surge toward the distant seas.