Harbin, capital of Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, will be developed into a central city for Sino-Russia cooperation along the East Land & Sea Silk Road Economic Belt, according to the city’s mayor, Song Xibin.

To date, Harbin has opened 12 air routes to Russia, established a China-Russia cross-border financial service center and built North China’s e-commerce logistics storage and distribution center, covering all of Russia through the bonded warehouses in Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg.

The city has also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the government of White Russia to construct a Harbin Park in the China-White Russia Industrial Park.

With nearly 20 flights flying between Harbin and Russian cities, buyers in Russia can purchase their favorite goods through e-commerce platforms such as Come365, Foxmall, Rubest and Easybuy, enjoying delivery within a week or two.

"Harbin is an important node along the East Land & Sea Silk Road Economic Belt. Enjoying a solid cooperation foundation with Russia, the city can be developed into a hub station connecting economic cooperation between China and Russia," Song said confidently.

Song also pointed out that in the future, Harbin will focus on establishing bonded zones and central railway container stations, promoting the development of a "cloud valley" as a national demonstration center for e-commerce, and developing international trains to connect with Europe through Russia.

The East Land & Sea Silk Road Economic Belt project was proposed by the provincial government of Heilongjiang province to promote cross-border economic development by opening three freight transportation routes: the Harbin-Manchuria-Russia-Europe route, the Harbin-Suifenhe-Russia Far East route and the Harbin-Dalian-Northeast China route.