Heilongjiang Province is positioning itself as China’s pivotal hub for northern economic expansion, according to strategic plans unveiled by NPC deputy Zhang Guojun during the National People’s Congress sessions in Beijing.
As Party Secretary of Mudanjiang city and a representative to China’s national legislature, Zhang detailed how the northeastern province has transformed into a critical nexus for international trade under the Belt and Road Initiative framework. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), Heilongjiang achieved remarkable foreign trade growth with a 15.2 percent average annual expansion rate despite global economic pressures.
The province’s export structure has undergone significant qualitative improvements, with mechanical and electrical exports growing at 18.1 percent annually and high-tech product exports increasing by 7.9 percent each year. Service trade cumulative value surpassed $14.6 billion, reflecting diversified economic development.
Zhang highlighted Mudanjiang’s exceptional performance, where exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and solar cells increased 4.4-fold, demonstrating the region’s shift toward high-value manufacturing. The city’s strategic location has enabled it to capitalize on cross-border economic opportunities, particularly with Russia, where exports grew by 21.8 percent in 2025.
Heilongjiang’s Free Trade Zone has emerged as an economic powerhouse, contributing approximately 20 percent of the province’s actual foreign investment utilization and 16 percent of total import-export volume. The zone has generated over 700 institutional innovations and supported the establishment of 35,000 new enterprises across sectors including advanced equipment manufacturing, new materials, and agricultural products.
The recently approved Mudanjiang Industrial Collaboration Park represents another milestone in the province’s development strategy, creating momentum for interprovincial cooperation and industrial transfer from more developed regions.
Infrastructure development remains a cornerstone of Heilongjiang’s expansion plans. The province has recorded substantial growth in port operations, with passenger and freight volumes increasing at annual rates of 61.2 percent and 12 percent respectively. The implementation of China-Russia visa-free policies has boosted tourism, resulting in a 134.7 percent surge in Russian visitors.
Looking toward the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), Zhang outlined ambitions to transform Heilongjiang’s economic model from a corridor-based system to a diversified framework encompassing import-export processing and multiple sectors. This comprehensive approach aims to establish a new pattern of openness toward Northeast Asia, driving regional revitalization through enhanced international connectivity.