A train loaded with goods valued at 15 million yuan ($2,06 million), including steel, machinery and tires, left Jinan bound for Almaty, Kazakhstan. "The train is expected to arrive in seven days," “This rail service is known for its speed and efficiency, which represents a significant competitive advantage for companies seeking to quickly access European markets,” said Zhang Yangjin, deputy general manager of Shandong Hi-Speed Group, the company responsible for Shandong’s China-Europe freight train service.
Zhang also highlighted the integration of the service with the cross-border e-commerce and logistics networks to optimize operational efficiency. This synergy allows local companies to leverage digital platforms to reach international consumers without additional complications.
At the same time, an international flight took off from Yantai with 9,4 tonnes of goods including electronic products and packages related to cross-border e-commerce to Osaka, Japan. "The goods include products from Shandong and neighboring provinces," said Song Wei, deputy general manager of Yantai Airport Logistics Unit. The airport's strategic importance lies in its ability to quickly connect local products to vital Asian markets.
Yantai has established itself as a main gateway to Japan and South Korea; during 2024 it handled 22.000 tonnes in packages related to cross-border e-commerce, which represents a significant year-on-year growth of 109,5 %. "Thanks to cargo flights to South Korea, South Korean consumers receive their goods in 37 hours," Song said. This speed is crucial to meet the growing demands of today's globalized marketplace.
In addition, a container ship set sail from the strategic port of Qingdao carrying advanced electronic products and electric vehicles to important destinations such as Turkey, Greece, Italy and France. This maritime approach complements the railway and air initiatives implemented by the province.
Wang Hong, deputy director of the Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce, announced new measures aimed at further facilitating international trade: "We will focus on key industries such as high technology and environmentally friendly products," Wang said while stressing the importance of government support in encouraging active participation in more than 360 trade exhibitions scheduled overseas this year.
The positive results reflect this strategy: The combined total import-export value reached 3,05 billones yuan during the first eleven months of 2024—a year-on-year increase of 3,1 %— thanks to the robust growth observed especially in exports, which increased significantly 6,9 %, highlighting premium products such as sophisticated boats and innovative electronic components whose production grew beyond the 40 %.
It is also reported that emerging sectors such as sustainable electric vehicles along with photovoltaic products also showed an upward trend, registering increases close to 11 %, thus promoting the transition towards greener economies within the provincial commercial framework. In total, a record number was recorded, higher than the 67.800 companies involved actively engaged in imports and exports during the first three quarters; this represents a net addition of more than 4.700 new business entities actively participating within this dynamic globalized commercial ecosystem.
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