This article discusses the efficiency of transport infrastructure and cooperation of neighboring regions located in Asian Russia, China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan in the context of creating new international economic corridors from the Silk Road and trans-Eurasian transport corridors. This study aims to highlight the possible ways of strengthening cross-border cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure. We evaluated the current state of the transport infrastructure, the dynamics of its development, and its influence on the territorial–production complex. Using quantitative data and the unified indicator for the efficiency of transport infrastructure, we also characterized the territorial differentiation, its causes, and prerequisites for further economic and trade cooperation between these countries. The main results are as follows: (1) The lowest levels of the efficiency of transport infrastructure are typical for the northeast of Asian Russia, as well as for the border regions of China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. (2) For Asian Russia, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia, the highest levels of the unified indicator are typical for regions located along the main transport routes and for regions with a developed mining industry. This is due to the strong unevenness of the socio-economic development of the territories. (3) The largest industrial and economic centers have been developing along the main transport corridors primarily due to the accumulated potential of equivalent freight turnover and export potential. This study can be useful for authorities and business, as well as for other users of transport infrastructure to improve its regulation and efficiency.

For the first time in the territory of the Russian Far East, a study related to the establishment of correlations between air quality and public health in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia, Russia) was carried out. This study is based on the analysis of official medical statistics on morbidity over several years, the data on the composition and volume of emissions of harmful substances into the air from various stationary sources, and laboratory measurements of air pollutants in different locations in Ulan-Ude. This study confirmed that the morbidity of the population in Ulan-Ude has been increasing every year and it is largely influenced by air pollutants, the main of which are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and nitrogen dioxide. It was found that the greatest contribution to the unfavorable environmental situation is made by three types of stationary sources: large heating networks, autonomous sources (enterprises and small businesses), and individual households. The main air pollutants whose concentrations exceed the limits are benzo(a)pyrene, formaldehyde, suspended particles PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and nitrogen dioxide. A comprehensive assessment of the content of various pollutants in the atmospheric air showed that levels of carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks to public health exceeded allowable levels. Priority pollutants in the atmosphere of Ulan-Ude whose concentrations create unacceptable levels of risk to public health are benzo(a)pyrene, suspended solids, nitrogen dioxide, PM_2.5, PM₁₀, formaldehyde, and black carbon. The levels of morbidity in Ulan-Ude were higher than the average for Buryatia by the main disease classes: respiratory organs—by 1.19 times, endocrine system—by 1.25 times, circulatory system—by 1.11 times, eye diseases—by 1.06 times, neoplasms—by 1.47 times, congenital anomalies, and deformations and chromosomal aberrations—by 1.63 times. There is an increase in the incidence of risk-related diseases of respiratory organs and the circulatory system. A strong correlation was found between this growth of morbidity and atmospheric air pollution in Ulan-Ude.

The Soyots (indigenous minorities) live in a remote mountainous area of the Baikal region within the limits of the Okinsky District, the Republic of Buryatia. The main type of economic activities of the soyots is the traditional use of natural resources. In this study, we have carried out economic and geographical analysis of the spatial organization of economic activity of the Soyots on the Eastern Sayan territory. Some researchers consider that the traditional use of natural resources by indigenous people is a vulnerable social and economic system, which requires state support and cautious attitude. Traditional farming and traditional lifestyle are the indispensable living conditions for indigenous people. The possibility of their survival and development in modern conditions is an important problem to be addressed. The study of the current form of the traditional use of natural resources is a priority and needs to be analysed, considering modern social and economic conditions. In a time of industrialization, large-scale development of natural resources of the Eastern Sayan resulted in disturbance of such territories. The Government of the Republic of Buryatia and administration of the Okinsky District have important tasks to preserve the unique area, where the Buryat and Soyot ethnic groups live and create conditions for rational use of natural resources. Unique climatic conditions in the Okinsky District are suitable for both reindeer breeding and cattle farming. The analysis of ethno-economic systems has revealed the areas characterized by the traditional use of natural resources and its spatial-temporal aspects on the Eastern Sayan territory.

We examine the age structure of the population as one of the main indicators that characterize the dynamics of demographic potential development. The age structure of the population of Asian Russia and neighboring territories of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China has been assessed based on statistical analysis (2010–2019). The triple coding method was employed for cartographic representation of the spatial and demographic dynamics. This method is based on the triangular Pere diagram, where demographic parameters are synthesized and have their own color code. The color scale of age structures of the population is represented as follows: yellow indicates the population older than the employable age, blue is the employable population, and purple is the population younger than the employable age. Based on the results we obtained, we suggest a classification of the regional age structure of the population in the Asian part of Russia and border regions of Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and China and generate schematic maps to visualize spatio-temporal changes in the demographic structure of the population in these regions. This research indicates that the triple coding method is complete and informative and has applied significance.