The network will be the first of its kind in China.

It will have the state-level Harbin Economic and Technological Development Zone in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province as the guide.

Experts believe that the operation of such a network will enormously reduce the trading cost of Chinese manufacturers and help solve problems arising from a lack of market information, difficulty with resettlement in customs clearance and the miscellany of shoddy commodities.

The network's primary wholesale center, secondary and tertiary markets will also be constructed in 22 Russia cities, according to Cong Guozhang, head of the management committee of Harbin Economic and Technological Development Zone.

Following the recovery of the economy in Russia, the purchasing power of citizens there has been on the increase, and Russians' demand for quality Chinese commodities, such as construction and decorative material, home appliances, foodstuffs, has also gone up.

"We will not just pursue profits for establishing the network, but will mainly offer services ranging from commodity export, transport, storage, to marketing," Cong said, emphasizing that the rules of the market will be fully observed at the network and Chinese enterprises must pass strict testing if they want to be a member of the network.

According to him, the primary center for the wholesale of famous and quality Chinese commodities, which also combines the exhibition and bonded functions, has been under tense construction in Vladivostok, Russia.

(Xinhua News Agency 06/30/2001)