New bonded zone inaugurated in Xinjiang

URUMQI - A comprehensive bonded zone has been launched in Urumqi, the third in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The zone, covering 2.4 square kilometers, is in the northwestern part of the regional capital, near a container hub for railway transport, an expressway and an international airport.

Investment of the zone reached 2.8 billion yuan ($430 million) and 31 companies were attracted to be located there, said Zhu Gang, director of the zone's administrative committee.

With the advantages of Urumqi as an international land port and freight trains connecting China and Europe, the zone will help with construction of the Belt and Road in Xinjiang, said Zhu.

Xinjiang currently has three bonded zones, with the other two in Alataw Pass and Kashgar.