The paper considers main traditional kinds, ways and techiques of Chinese trade in the Russian Far East in the late XIX, early XX centuries.

Statistcal data illustrating Chinese pre-eminence in Amur River Territory business sector in the late XIX, early XX centuries. The most widely spread kinds of Chinese trade in Amur and Primorsk Territory are identified, trade with non-Russians is also considered. The reasons of Chinese trade success are analysed. They are natural talant of the Chinese for commerce, low demands, and fundamental principles of doing business based on traditional Chinese way of life such as cooperation, mutual credit, and attempt to have quick turnover of capital. A variety of Chinese trade know-how from “petty cheat” to ways to evade trade licence is illustrated. All forms of Chinese trade are analysed in terms of concerns facing Amur River Territory administration because of Chinese trade activity.

Of all Chinese business activity fomats in Amur River Territory commerce was considered to be the most “prestgious” business. Chinese trafe in Amur River Territory can be broadly divided into large scale and small scale trade in cities and countriside, mobile retail and retail delivery trade, and trade with non-Russians. Significance of each kind, in view of benefit or harm for the territory, was diverse as well as attitude to them of local authorities, central government, local community and ordinary people. The information given in the paper can serve as a basis for the research of immigrant policy of local authorities, particularly projects aimed at regulating Chinese trade and limitation of Chinese immigration at large.