Suifenhe Comprehensive Bonded Zone is the only bonded zone on the Sino-Russian border in Northeast China. Zhong Pan / For China Daily

Suifenhe, on the Sino-Russian border in northeastern China, is part of the country's strategy of opening up border areas and plans to turn itself into a pioneer in the Northeast.

The city hopes to seize a "post-crisis" opportunity to increase industrial restructuring and upgrades, and implement some large projects over the next five years.

In 2010, its local GDP is expected to reach 7.66 billion yuan, or 11 percent more than for 2009, and 2.93 times that of 2005.

Under the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-2015), Suifenhe will continue to develop an industrial belt between Harbin, Mudanjiang, Suifenhe, and Doning, and the regional economy.

In 2009, the Sate Council approved Suifenhe's Comprehensive Bonded Zone, the only bonded zone on the Sino-Russian border in the Northeast. Now, its first stage has been recognized by the nation's 11 ministries.

During the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-2015), the city will increase building in the bonded zone.

When the bonded zone is completed, the city's international trade is expected to increase 30 percent to $2 billion a year.

The bonded zone's ability to attracting investment has been gratifying. Nine enterprises, including a Heilongjiang logistics company and Sanxia Wood Industry Company have plans to invest in it.

Other prominent companies have agreed to invest 1.5 billion yuan in all in refrigeration equipment, IT, and the LED business. They include the Langchao Group and a Shenzhou digital company.

Work on another large project, the Wuhuashan Reservoir, started this past June. It is expected to be operational in 2011 and is one of the province's key projects to improve the livelihood of people there. Total spending on the reservoir is 540 million yuan.

Its daily water supply of 180,000 tons is expected to meet the needs of 400,000 people and to relieve fears of water shortages.

The next five years are important for Suifenhe in improving transportation, including Suifenhe's airport, high-speed railway, and highway from Mudanjiang to Suifenhe.

These projects should meet the increasing demands of Sino-Russia and other international trade and promote the development of trade zones along the Harbin, Mudanjiang, Suifenhe, Dongning belt.

There are currently 40 projects under construction, and Suifenhe's investment in fixed assets has reached 600 million yuan, or 138.6 percent higher than for 2009.

Over the next five years, Suifenhe will increase its financial support for large projects. It is estimated that local GDP will reach 12.3 billion yuan and have an annual growth of 10 percent.

The large projects will give Suifenhe's people a better society and better urbanization.

(China Daily 12/15/2010 page24)