CONSTRUCTION of the second stage of the Qingdao Free Trade Harbor Zone was progressing according to schedule to open in 2012.

    The zone was planned to become a container hub, regional international trading center, logistics center, commercial center and export-oriented manufacturing base in northeast Asia in three to five years and eventually become a first-class international free trade harbor area, said Wang Huaiyue, director of the management committee of the area.

    The first stage focuses on traditional industries such as logistics, international trading, exchange market and manufacturing, while the second stage is building a first-class customs inspection system in the service industry. (Wang Yuanyuan, Duan Xiaodong)