Harbin Taiping International Airport, the northernmost international airport in China, handled a record number of cargo flights going to Russia in 2019, according to airport officials.

Statistics from Harbin airport showed that it handled a total of 128 cargo flights to Russia, for a year-on-year increase of 40.6 percent.

The cargo shipment volume was 221,300 items weighing 3,535.50 metric tons, a dramatic increase of 107.5 percent and 81.8 percent respectively.

Officials said the e-commerce trade between China and Russia has shown a rising growth trend since the approval of the establishment of the China (Heilongjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone by the State Council, or China’s Cabinet, on Aug 2.

Officials said the rapid-growth e-commerce volume had contributed to the trade and economic exchanges between China and Russia.