The China (Wuhan) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area was launched at Wuhan East Lake Free Trade Zone in Central China's Hubei province, on Jan 3, as Wuhan tries to take its cross-border e-commerce industry into a new stage of development.

Top local dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Zhao Haishan, deputy governor of Hubei province, Zhou Xianwang, mayor of Wuhan, and Yang Jie, director of Wuhan Customs, as well as representatives from e-commerce firms dealing with foreign trade.

In July 2018, the city was made part of the third batch of national cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones, with the plan recently receiving approval from the provincial government.

According to the plan, development of the pilot area will include the internet, cross-border trade and comprehensive service industries over the next three years, with a focus on imports.

It will be built into a center for international warehousing and logistics, professional industry workers, cross-border e-commerce big data services, cross-border e-commerce innovation, and cross-border trade.

Representatives announce the launch of the China (Wuhan) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area at the Wuhan East Lake Free Trade Zone, Hubei province, Jan 3. [Photo provided to China Daily]

Wuhan East Lake Free Trade Zone in Optics Valley of China [Photo provided to China Daily]