Impressive growth for new area, officials say

The Harbin New Area has made impressive progress in the first half of this year, with GDP growing 10.3 percent, compared with the same period last year, local officials said.

Approved by the State Council in 2015, it covers parts of Songbei, Hulan and Pingfang districts in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, and stretches 493 square kilometers.

The new area caters for high-end services and industries such as science and technology, information services, finance, international trade and cultural tourism.