China’s State Council, the country’s cabinet, has approved a new bonded zone in the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, as another way to help the opening-up strategy in northeastern China, with a 3.3-square–kilometer area in the eastern part of the city’s Xiangfang district, adjacent to the International Railway Container Distribution Center.

The Harbin bonded zone construction headquarter. [Photo by Li Xiaoliang/chinadaily.com.cn]

The bonded zone project is being developed in two phases, with the initial part starting last year on 1.35 sq km, for living and service facilities, gas, power, water and heat supplies, and telecommunication to support the zone, the construction company has said.

The zone is expected to have the most favorable tax policies, with reductions, exemptions, and refunds, to provide comprehensive services in international shipping, distribution, purchasing, trade and export processing. Local authorities say it will have bonded warehouses for cross-border e-commerce, imported cars, aircraft parts, artwork, gold and silver jewelry processing, and precision instruments.

The planning map of Harbin bonded zone. [Photo by Li Xiaoliang/chinadaily.com.cn]

It will also house office areas for financial institutions and government departments in commerce and industry, taxation, and customs.