BEIJING -- Northeast China's Heilongjiang province is gearing up to build a core aviation hub of Northeast Asia, according to local officials.

The province is now creating a distinctive aviation hub network, with capacity extending to Northeast Asia, and connecting America and Europe, Li Haitao, executive vice governor of Heilongjiang, told a promotion meeting in Beijing on Thursday.

In July, The Civil Aviation Administration of China and the provincial government both approved a strategic plan for the province to create an international aviation hub.

The Harbin Taiping International Airport, in the provincial capital, tops all airports in northeast China with annual passenger throughput of 18.81 million in 2017.

To date, 47 airlines operate 185 domestic and international air routes from the airport, among which 19 are direct regional or international routes.

According to the plan, the passenger throughput of the Harbin Taiping International Airport will reach 42 million by 2025, and 80 million by 2035.