Open for business: The RCEP Yanbian Cross-border Import and Export Center launches in Yanji. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The new RCEP Yanbian Cross-border Import and Export Center was officially opened in the Bonded Logistics Center of the Yanji International Airport Economic Development Zone – in the city of Yanji in Northeast China's Jilin province – on Sept 3.

Yanji is a county-level city situated in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture – in Jilin province – which is bordered to the south by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and to the east by Primorsky Krai in Russia.

RECEP is a huge Asia-Pacific nations trading bloc that came into effect this year, with China as one of the signatories. It is cutting tariffs on exports and imports significantly between its members, which is projected to provide a major boost to the region's economies.

The launch of the center is said to mark the opening of a new format for cross-border e-commerce imports and exports in Yanji and is expected to further promote the development of a local export-oriented economy.

The center has a floor space of 15,500 square meters and a total of three levels. The first and second floors are areas for cross-border e-commerce and bulk foreign trade commodities sales, while the third floor is the export commodities display area.

The cross-border e-commerce business will rely on the Bonded Logistics Center of the Yanji International Airport Economic Development Zone to develop a cross-border e-commerce comprehensive services platform.

This will have functions for bonded stocking, bonded displays, bonded transactions, consignment trading and cross-border e-commerce experiences.

Two friends check out products at the new RCEP Yanbian Cross-border Import and Export Center, on Sept 3. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The bulk foreign trade commodities sales area stocks more than 100 kinds of international goods on its shelves – including beauty products, alcohol, clothing and ski equipment – from countries such as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Russia and Australia.

The export commodity exhibition area on the third floor is currently showcasing the big health industry and intelligent manufacturing as two leading industries, among others.

The big health industry has a display and promotion on processing ginseng, in a bid to build up the regional brand "China Ginseng Valley" and is also showcasing Yanbian ginseng enterprises led by Kexi'an and Zixin.

The intelligent manufacturing industry is mainly displaying new energy vehicles developed in Yanbian Korean autonomous prefecture, as well as promoting the hydrogen energy industry supply chain.

By building a cross-border e-commerce + RCEP import and export comprehensive services platform, the new center is expected to speed up trade integration and development with the ROK and Japan.

That's particularly in the fields of hydrogen energy industrial parks, new energy vehicles and high-end parts – and the center is expected to lead the way in stepping up trade and commerce with ASEAN countries, Australia and New Zealand in emerging industries.

Visitors take a look at the RCEP Yanbian Cross-border Import and Export Center. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]