BEIJING (Kyodo) Officials from Sakhalin urged Chinese companies Tuesday to invest in the Russian Far East, including the four disputed islands off Hokkaido.

The Sakhalin government officials were in Beijing as part of a two-day investment forum. The investment seminar is focused on business opportunities in tourism, seafood processing and construction, as well as other areas.

The Japanese government discourages foreign businesses from seeking business opportunities on the four disputed islands.

Sakhalin First Vice Gov. Konstantin Stroganov is heading a Sakhalin government and business delegation to the investment forum.