Statistics from Changsha Municipal Bureau of Commerce show that the total import and export volume of Changsha City achieved 230 billion yuan last year, with a year-on-year growth of 15%, accounting for nearly half of the province’s foreign trade volume. 

In the cold winter, the north station of Changsha Freight Center is busy, where there are many goods exported to Europe and Central Asia by China-Europe freight trains.

China-Europe trains in Changsha have been operated stably in the global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Changsha became one of the country’s only 4 cities with China-Europe freight trains operated daily during the epidemic. In 2020, CRE(Changsha) ran 528 trains, an increase of 28.47% year on year; the value of goods totaled 2.061 billion dollars, up 98.58%, exceeding the annual target. The CRE trains not only carry Hunan goods such as automobiles, construction machinery spare parts and anti-epidemic materials to foreign countries, but also bring back such products as Russian wood, Holland’s milk powder and Central Asian mung beans, enriching the life of Changsha people.

Last year, the Logistics Port Office of Changsha Municipal Government, together with Xingsha Customs and Central South International Land Port, has provided one-to-one logistics solutions for key enterprises such as Zoomlion and Sany and promoted the deep integration and development of both CRE(Changsha) and manufacturing industry. 25 special trains loaded with heavy machinery were operated throughout the year.

On the morning of December 10, Changsha opened a cargo route to Belgrade, Serbia, with 95 tons of cargo in 630 cubic meters departing from Changsha Huanghua International Airport. This is the first full-cargo flight launched to Eastern Europe in central China.

Last year, Changsha opened 8 new regular cargo routes to Hong Kong, Moscow, Los Angeles, New York and Osaka, resumed 3 international air routes for e-commerce cargo to Chicago (Halifax), Ho Chi Minh City and Dacca and opened 2 irregular cargo routes to Los Angeles and Chennai. There are 13 routes now in operation. Last year, the international (regional) cargo throughput at the Changsha Airport increased by 48.7% year on year to 75,400 tons.

Owing to the smooth international logistics channels, such enterprises as Central Cainiao International, SF Airlines and Hunan Airlines have developed their business in Changsha. Changsha has opened to the world and become an important engine of economic take-off.

At the beginning of this year, 72 enterprises have settled in the China-Africa Economic & Trade Cooperation Promotion Innovation Demonstration Park, marking the first step in building Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone.

According to the Overall Plan of China (Hunan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, the Changsha area covers a total of 79.98 square meters, and focuses on building a world-class high-end equipment manufacturing base, a high-end modern service center in China’s inland areas, a pioneer of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation and a growth pole of the rise of central China.

In the plan of building Hunan Pilot Free Trade Zone in its Changsha area, many systems are innovated to stimulate the vitality of market players. For example, the interactive development of parks outside the Pilot Free Trade Zone, such as Jinxia Economic Development Zone, Malanshan Video Cultural & Creative park, Yuelushan University Science and Technology City, is taken into consideration. And logistics, culture, film and television, etc. are included in the reform.

Edited by Li Ling