Henan aims to build up 'air silk road'

Zhengzhou's transportation hub boosts trade and investment with Europe

Henan aims to accelerate the development of its transportation capabilities and further develop the "air silk road" connecting its capital, Zhengzhou, with cities in Europe and Southeast Asia, the province's top leadership said on Thursday.

Wang Kai, governor of Henan, said Zhengzhou airport ranks among the top 40 airports in the world for cargo freight, and the Zhengzhou international land port is capable of handling 10,000 China-Europe freight trains a year.

In December, a plane carrying 146 passengers landed at Luxembourg Airport after a flight from Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, marking the official opening of the first direct passenger flight route between China and Luxembourg.

Zhang Min, vice-governor of Henan, said the "air silk road" between Zhengzhou and Luxembourg is an example of the city's advances in high-level opening-up.

The Zhengzhou-Luxembourg airfreight route, which opened in June 2014, now connects with services to more than 200 cities in 24 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the Americas, Zhang said.

It has facilitated the transport of goods such as salmon from Northern Europe, cherries from South America, and the latest fashion from Italy, allowing them to reach cities across China within 12 hours of arrival at the Zhengzhou airport, she said.

Meanwhile, products made in Henan such as smartphones, precision machinery and beauty products use the "air silk road" to reach global markets.

"Henan is actively developing aviation-preferred industrial clusters in sectors including electronics, biomedicine and modern services, fostering robust energy for the development of new quality productive forces," Zhang said.

With the efficient operation of the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg tourism visa platform and the smooth opening of passenger flight routes, Henan is enjoying more convenient connectivity and closer exchanges with the world.

Almost 200 Fortune Global 500 companies have established a presence in Henan, and Henan-based enterprises have expanded to over 100 countries and regions worldwide, Zhang said.

A Luxembourg Cultural Relics Exhibition kicked off recently at the Henan Museum in Zhengzhou. It will display 210 treasures from Luxembourg until August.

Next month, the second Air Silk Road for International Cooperation Forum will be held in Luxembourg to promote exchanges of goods, people and ideas, Zhang said.

"Projects like the construction of Zhoukou Port and six other modern ports are underway to facilitate inland waterway transportation to reach the sea," she said.