The Guangdong Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has seen a surge in imports and exports over nearly a decade, driving trade and growth in China's cold chain sector due to improved logistics and streamlined customs procedures.
The International Cold Chain Center at Nansha Port in Guangzhou, the country's largest single cold storage facility, houses hundreds of types of fresh products from around the world.
In 2022, the value of imported cold chain goods at Nansha Port reached nearly 23 billion yuan (over 3 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 80 percent from the previous year.
Nansha Port has become the largest importer of cherries and durians in the Chinese mainland, where speed is crucial for perishable products.
"For imported fresh fruits, we have rapid customs clearance channels, including pre-approval for certificates, advance declarations for imported container cargo at customs, and direct pickups at the dock. Then the products from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and so on are distributed to cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area within one hour, and other parts of the country within 24 hours," said Hu Zhengjun, business manager of Guangzhou Nansha International Cold Chain Corporation.
Nansha's transformation from a lesser-known port into a key hub in the Pearl River Delta mirrors the broader progress of the free trade zone.
"To help businesses thrive and boost foreign trade, it's crucial to create a favorable business environment, drive institutional improvements, and align with high international standards. The development of cold chain logistics is a prime example of this approach," said Xie Xiaohui, director of Business Bureau of Nansha District under the Guangdong FTZ.
In the first half of this year, the import and export volume of the FTZ reached 46 billion US dollars, up 30 percent year on year.
Zhang Jingsong, director of general affairs office of Guangdong Free Trade Zone, said the area has become a crucial driver for the entire province.
"Despite occupying less than 0.1 percent of the province's land area, the Guangdong Free Trade Zone has contributed 7.6 percent of the province's foreign trade of imports and exports, and one quarter of its actual foreign investment," said Zhang.
Inaugurated in 2015, the Guangdong FTZ encompasses the Nansha New Area in Guangzhou, Qianhai-Shekou Area in Shenzhen, and Hengqin New Area in Zhuhai.
Over the past nine years, foreign trade in the FTZ has grown from nearly 14 billion US dollars in 2015 to 80 billion US dollars in 2023, averaging a 24-percent annual growth rate.
Efficient customs clearance spurs cold chain logistics in Guangdong FTZ
