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E-mail China.org.cn, May 28, 2024
Shou Xiaoli:
Two last questions, please.
China Daily:
We have noticed that Zhengzhou recently launched a direct flight to Luxembourg, which is Luxembourg's first intercontinental passenger route. Could you please share what initiatives Henan has undertaken to promote the construction of the Air Silk Road and support the Belt and Road Initiative? Thank you.
Wang Kai:
Please let Ms. Zhang answer this question.
Zhang Min:
Thank you, China Daily, for your long-term interest in and support for Henan. I would like to give you an introduction here. First is about this air route. The Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road symbolizes Henan's commitment to promoting high-level opening-up. Since its opening in June 2014, with Zhengzhou and Luxembourg as "dual hubs," this air route has built a bridge to reach over 200 cities in 24 countries, known as "one point connecting three continents, one line connecting Europe and America." Salmon from Northern Europe, cherries from South America, and the latest Italian fashions can be distributed across China within 12 hours after entering Zhengzhou Airport. Our Henan-made smartphones, precision machinery, and beauty products can also reach the world through this Air Silk Road.
Second, we are reaching out to each other. Zhengzhou and Luxembourg leverage their geographical advantages and cooperate closely for mutual benefit. Their cargo and mail throughputs rank among the world's top 40 and top 20 respectively. Utilizing the Air Silk Road, Henan is also actively developing clusters of aviation-preferred industries such as electronic information, biomedicine, and modern services, gathering strong momentum to develop new quality productive forces. With the efficient operation of the Zhengzhou-Luxembourg tourism visa platform and the successful launch of direct passenger flight routes, connectivity and communication between Henan and the world have become more convenient and closer. Currently, 198 Fortune 500 companies have established a presence in Henan, and Henan's enterprises have also expanded their business to over 100 countries and regions globally. Not long ago, the "Small But Beautiful: Treasures of Cultural Heritage from Luxembourg" exhibition made a splendid debut in Zhengzhou, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral exchanges through cultural relics. Next month, the second Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road Forum for International Cooperation will be held in Luxembourg. All these efforts show that our relationship is moving from "hard connectivity" to a "heart-to-heart connection."
Third, we are advancing on four roads. Henan is vigorously developing four "Silk Roads" — in the air, on land, at sea, and online — relying on the Air Silk Road. These efforts form a new pattern of multi-dimensional openness as part of the joint initiative to build the Belt and Road. The China-Europe freight trains are fully loaded both ways, creating an international logistics network that connects over 40 countries. Cross-border e-commerce operates under the principle of "buy globally, sell globally," with annual transaction volumes exceeding 230 billion yuan. We are currently constructing six modern ports, including Zhoukou Port, to enable inland river shipping routes to reach the sea, opening new channels for the Central Plains of China to have access to the ocean.
Moving forward, we will further expand the Air Silk Road from Zhengzhou to more cities in Europe and Southeast Asia, strengthen the hub economy, enhance high-level openness, and build a more competitive inland opening-up highland. Thank you!
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