China-Europe Railway Express freight train service ushers in a convenient and cost-effective cross-border logistics channel for companies in Liaoning province.
Ancient silk roads were economic and transportation arteries connecting Asia, Africa and Europe, through which diverse civilizations met and learned from each other. Current land-sea transport and the China-Europe Railway Express train service are also economic lifelines for different regions.
They offer opportunities for Liaoning to integrate reform, innovation and opening-up with local reality and support Shenyang in becoming an international hub in Northeast Asia.
A train carrying 7.9 metric tons of toiletries from Germany arrived in Shenyang, capital of Liaoning, on Sept 30. They planned to sell on the cross-border platform of the Shenyang Area of China (Liaoning) Pilot Free Trade Zone and a physical shop. Liaoning boasts six large commercial ports, including Dalian Port and Yingkou Port, highlighting its coastal strength.
It is one of the most convenient transit hubs in Northeast Asia and an important province involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.
The Shenyang area plays a main role in development of the city's cross-border e-commerce sector. It focuses on establishment of related platforms and construction of storage facilities and startup incubation centers, attracts enterprises to operate there and improves the environment.
It has expanded transportation channels for cross-border e-commerce and coordinated with different authorities such as those responsible for border posts and customs.
The Liaoning branch of China Post played its role as a main channel of cross-border consignment and cooperated with cross-border e-commerce businesses from the Shenyang area.
Traditional cross-border exports by sea was time-consuming while air transport was expensive and limited in capacity. The China-Europe Railway Express train service boasts low transport costs and stable carrying capacity.
The Shenyang area took policy and location advantages to build itself into a cross-border logistics center and developed a cross-border commodity transportation business based on the train service.
It has opened six routes for cross-border freight chartered planes connecting Shenyang to regions including London, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The area also established cross-border e-commerce operational teams and trained cross-border e-commerce professionals.
Projects related to leading cross-border e-commerce companies, such as JD and Cainiao Network, have developed in the area. Cainiao, which was attracted to the area in 2021, set up a bonded warehouse in Taoxian Park in the comprehensive bonded zone of the area.
The area said it would also focus on institutional innovation and further opening-up. Important fields have seen breakthroughs of opening-up since the beginning of this year.
International artworks carried by the China-Europe Railway Express train service arrived in Shenyang in October. An international freight charter route has been opened for BMW Brilliance Automotive, which has an advanced production center in Shenyang.
Under the support of Shenyang customs, the Shenyang free trade zone is promoting a new transport channel for cross-border e-commerce trade.
Zhao Duanduan contributed to this story.
songmengxing@chinadaily
A cargo train departs from Shenyang to Duisburg, Germany.
