Henan Province Advances Plans to Become a Leading Inland Trade Hub

In recent developments, Henan province is actively enhancing its strategies to emerge as a significant inland opening-up hub. With a vision to strengthen trade and logistics networks that connect both domestic and international markets, officials in Henan are determined to integrate their operations into the national unified market.

Liu Ning, secretary of the Communist Party of China Henan Provincial Committee and a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, emphasized the importance of this initiative. He stated that the province aims to develop into a circulation hub that connects China’s flourishing domestic market with global manufacturers, thus facilitating the seamless delivery of international goods to Chinese consumers while helping local products reach consumers around the world.

One of the focal points of Henan's strategy is the burgeoning cross-border e-commerce sector. To streamline international trade and customs processes, the province has established an extensive infrastructure consisting of ports, bonded zones, and pilot e-commerce hubs. These developments have not only aided in bolstering the economy but have also spurred remarkable growth in foreign trade, with Henan reporting total imports and exports of 935.67 billion yuan (approximately $135.72 billion) last year — a notable 14.1 percent increase from 2024.

Henan province has gained recognition for its significant export volumes in various categories, including buses, mobile phones, and hair products, leading the nation in these sectors. The capital city, Zhengzhou, has risen as a vital hub for imports and exports. The efficiency of logistics and customs procedures has been further highlighted by the surge in fresh cold-chain imports, with cooperative efforts allowing Malaysian durians to clear customs within 12 hours and reach consumers across the nation in under two days.

Moreover, Liu mentioned the innovative