Total foreign trade of Qianhai cooperation zone exceeds one trln yuan in Jan-July

The total value of import and export of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone was 1.19 trillion yuan (about 166.6 billion U.S. dollars) in the first seven months of this year, an increase of 11 percent year on year, according to data from customs authorities in south China's Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province.

On Sept 6, 2021, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the State Council released the Plan for Comprehensively Deepening the Reform and Opening Up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone, endowing it the mission to create a comprehensive platform for deepening reform and innovation and to build a high-level gateway hub for opening up.

The cooperation zone has an international airport, six port terminals and six open ports, making it one of the most internationalized regions in China.

According to data from Shenzhen Customs, enterprises nationwide have imported and exported goods worth 1.19 trillion yuan through ports in the Qianhai cooperation zone during the Jan-July period, representing a year-on-year growth of 11 percent. Of this total, export amounted to one trillion yuan, marking an increase of 13.1 percent year on year.

This has injected new momentum into the high-quality development and high-level opening up of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In order to effectively connect the aviation ports, seaports and comprehensive bonded zones in the cooperation zone, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Airport Cluster Qianhai Service Center was established in the cooperation zone, which includes China's first pre-inspection station for air freight, where enterprises can complete freight space booking, cargo collection, distribution, security inspection in the Qianhai Comprehensive Bonded Zone before sending cargoes to the airport cargo terminal.

The export of more than 24,000 tonnes of goods have benefited from the pre-inspection project since it was put into operation in 2022, saving approximately 30 percent of logistics costs, according to statistics.

Total foreign trade of Qianhai cooperation zone exceeds one trln yuan in Jan-July

Truck drivers and their cargoes sought refuge in a Shanghai activity hub as Typhoon Bebinca, the strongest typhoon to hit the city in decades, made landfall on Monday morning, unleashing heavy rains and winds exceeding 160 kilometers per hour.

In the Pudong District, situated on the southeastern tip of Shanghai, the impact of Typhoon Bebinca was stark, with trees and road signs uprooted, construction sites disrupted, and bicycles scattered across the ground.

Shanghai is not prone to strong typhoons, but local authorities have made emergency plans.

In Lingang Special Area, an activity hub was transformed into a temporary shelter for over 130 truck drivers and their cargoes.

"With such strong winds, it's not safe to park my truck on the street. Trees could fall. Parking here is a safer choice. The service is good here. It's clean, and it also provides food. We can take a shower here," said Wang Shaodong, a truck driver from east China's Anhui Province.

"The Donghai Bridge has been closed, as the typhoon is approaching. That's why we came here. They provide us with bedding, and air conditioners were turned on. So we are staying here. There are also meals downstairs," said Gong Xiangge, a hazardous cargo driver from east China's Shandong Province.

"We call these truck drivers 'men living on wheels.' The 13th typhoon [of this year] brought gales, with maximum wind speed reaching 36.9 meters per second, so danger may come at any time. So staying on the side of the street is unsafe for both trucks and drivers," said Fan Jianrong, deputy director of Lingang Special Area Investment Holding Group.

Although traffic resumed on all roads and bridges across Shanghai starting from 20:00 on Monday, precautions are still in place as Typhoon Pulasan, the 14th of the year, has formed in the northeastern Pacific and could follow a similar path to Typhoon Bebinca.

The director of the center said that the shelter remains open to those in need, ensuring that assistance is readily available for individuals affected by the poor weather.

Truck drivers seek shelter as powerful typhoon hits Shanghai