Vladivostok: Not quite ready for world stage
The city of Vladivostok, host to the APEC summit, wants to convince the 22 visiting leaders that it’s robust, qualified and ready for prime time, but a closer look beyond the fresh coats of paint and brave face reveals that it's not quite ready
A woman walks near a cable-braced bridge in Vladivostok, Russia, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit is taking place.Vincent Yu/The Associated Press
Police officers stand guard at a train station in the city of Russian Far Eastern port of Vladivostok, Wednesday, Sept 5, 2012. The countries from Pacific rim will attend Asia pacific Economic Corporation (APEC) summit which kicks off with ministerial meetings Sept. 5.Vincent Yu/The Associated Press
A shopper walks past a painting of Snow White at a shopping area at Russian Far Eastern port of Vladivostok Wednesday, Sept 5, 2012.Vincent Yu/The Associated Press
People walk over tarmac with the APEC logo printed on it, in a central square of Vladivostok.SERGEI KARPUKHIN/Reuters
A man sleeps on a sidewalk in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit is taking place place Thursday, Sept. 6, 2012. Russia's agenda during the APEC meetings is an ambitious plan to turn Vladivostok into a transportation hub to link Asia to Europe by sea and rail. The main line of the Trans-Siberian Railroad runs between Vladivostok and Moscow, nearly 6,500 kilometres to the west.Vincent Yu/The Associated Press
A Russian flag flies above the port in the eastern Russian city of Vladivostok Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012. Once a mysterious closed city during Soviet times, Vladivostok is ready to strut in the world spotlight as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. Russia has splashed $20-billion preparing for the summit in Vladivostok, its largest but long-neglected Pacific port, as part of a grand plan to become a bigger player on Asian markets.Vincent Yu/The Associated Press