The Harbin Taiping International Airport in Harbin, capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, handled a record amount of cargo to Russia in the first eight months of this year, achieving growth despite the general negative effects of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
 
Statistics from the Harbin airport showed that it had processed 2,504.19 metric tons of cargo in total to Russia as of Aug 16, a year-on-year increase of 35.36 percent.
 
It also played an essential role in ensuring the stability and smooth flow of the international and domestic industrial supply chains.
 
In order to build Harbin into a central city for China-Russia cooperation and an international aviation hub, the Harbin airport opened a direct cargo flight between Harbin and Moscow on May 10 this year.
 
The flight is operated by a subsidiary of Heilongjiang Transport Investment Co and China Post Heilongjiang Company.

The cargo plane, served by the Boeing 757, can carry 35 tons of cargo per shift and complete six shifts per week.
 
To promote the safe and smooth operation of cargo flights to Russia, the Harbin airport has cooperated with airlines and customs to open a green service channel.
 
It has significantly improved the smooth flow of security links, such as cargo loading and unloading, receipt, transportation, inspection, and customs clearance.