The morning of Jan 14 witnessed the launch ceremony of the construction of the China-ASEAN Grain and Oil Processing Zone in Dongxing, Fangchenggang.

The Guangxi-based project is located in the primary division of the Dongxing Cross-border Economic Cooperation Zone and as one of the main logistic portals for bulk grains is an important strategic target for the province, in order to build the Maritime Silk Road in the 21st century. The processing zone is of great significance, both for the development of the Chinese border regions, promoting harmony between ASEAN countries and the food security of Guangxi.

Spanning an area of 342 mu (22.8 hectares), the project includes four function areas. The first is a processing area, where plans have been readied to build a processing plant capable of producing 300 tons rice per day and a manufacturing shop which can process polished rice at a rate of 500 tons daily. The second is the store area, where 10 grain reserve depots – with a total storage capacity of 200,00 tons – are due for construction. The third, a trading area, will house a sales exhibition area and an online trading hall, covering 20,000 square meters in total. The fourth part of the business area has been earmarked for offices and management rooms over an area of 30,000 square meters.

With a total investment of 1.2 billion yuan ($193.24 million), the construction of the China-ASEAN Grain and Oil Processing Zone will be completed in two years and put into operation by January 2017. The estimated gross output is expected to reach 3 billion yuan, creating revenues of 350 million yuan and 500 job posts.

During the launch ceremony, Huang Xianyang, director of the Guangxi Grain Bureau, announced the start of the project construction. Some honorable guests attended the ceremony, including Dongxing’s Vice Mayor, Wang De, and Deputy Director of Dongxing’s test area management committee, Chu Yang.

Edited by Feng Lu and Jake Hooson