New timber center launched in Dalian

A state base for storing, processing and trading imported timber has been established in Northeast China's Liaoning province.

Seven enterprises began operations at a furnishing industrial park in Zhuanghe, Dalian on Thursday.

On the northern Yellow Sea, Zhuanghe is one of 10 national bases handling imported timber, one of eight state-level timber inspection and quarantine fumigation areas and a China-Japan-ROK demonstration base of circular economy.

"These titles provide facilities for the development of our timber sector," said Zhao Yongbo, mayor of Zhuanghe.

The city boasts a first-class national open port which is becoming a state-level import port for strategic resources such as timber, aquatic products, renewable resources and minerals as well as a new gateway to the sea in the northeastern region for heavy equipment, household products and cold chain logistics.

Zhuanghe Port becomes a stage for the construction of China's Belt and Road initiatives, said Zhao.

In order to better serve the local economy, Zhuanghe Port is building and expanding 13 dedicated berths. The three timber terminals, two of 30,000-tons and one of 5,000-tons, are designed to have an annual import capacity of 5 million cubic meters.

Zhao said the city will integrate local resources and offer preferential policies and quality service to attract more related enterprises both from home and abroad.

According to Wang Man, deputy chairman of the Chinese Forestry Industry Association, Zhuanghe's timber sector is enjoying rapid development and shows great promise.

"China's ban on commercial logging of natural forests brings new opportunities for imported timber. I hope Zhuanghe can take the advantage of its port and keep robust growth in the sector," he said.

The manufacture of furniture is one of the three pillar industries of Zhuanghe. Currently, there are more than 230 furniture and wood processing enterprises, forming an industrial chain covering raw material supply, manufacturing and processing, packaging, supporting, exhibition and distribution.

Products are exported to Japan, America and European and Southeast Asian countries.