On June 8, Zhongyu Aviation Group and Malaysia Airports Holdings signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Commercial Support on the China-Malaysia Air Cargo Hub Project of the "Silk Road in the Sky" in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan Province in Central China, agreeing to collaborate on cargo route development and overseas cargo terminal construction. This signifies the "China-Malaysia Air Silk Road Aviation Cargo Hub Project" has taken a significant step forward, with the establishment of Henan’s first overseas cargo station radiating the RCEP region in Kuala Lumpur.
According to the MoU, both parties will leverage their strengths to open and expand international cargo routes between Zhengzhou and Malaysia, while also constructing "two stations", which means setting up overseas cargo stations in both Zhengzhou and Kuala Lumpur. This includes improving software, hardware, customs clearance, and other supporting services, creating efficient air logistics channels, and exploring the air cargo market between China and Malaysia.
An overseas cargo terminal is a facility at an international airport providing ground services like loading, warehousing, customs clearance, and transit for import and export goods. Upon completion of the cargo station, the terminal will integrate air, ground, and supply networks, offering customers secure, efficient, and cost-effective services.
Malaysia is the second-largest trading partner of our country in ASEAN and the largest source of imports. The route network covers major markets in the world and the RCEP region. Establishing an overseas cargo station in Kuala Lumpur can effectively expand the radiation range of Zhengzhou Airport to the RCEP region and enhance the cargo handling and distribution capacity. The project includes launching a durian cargo line from Zhengzhou to Kuala Lumpur, followed by the introduction of seafood, flowers, and other specialty goods from Malaysia, Indonesia, and nearby regions, facilitating trade between Henan and the RCEP.
In April 2021, Zhengzhou Airport unveiled its first overseas cargo station in Budapest, marking a milestone for Chinese airports. Following this, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued guidelines on the construction and operation of overseas air cargo terminals in October 2022. Based on the experience of building the Budapest overseas cargo station, Zhengzhou Airport launched the Kuala Lumpur overseas cargo station project in February 2022, which was later included in the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation’s practical cooperation projects in October 2023.
Zhongyu Aviation Group is expanding its global air logistics network. This year, Zhengzhou Airport has launched over 10 new cargo routes to cities like Frankfurt, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Mexico City, strengthening the "Air Silk Road" channel.
Zhang Mingchao, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Board of Zhongyu Aviation Group, said that the Group has always been accelerating the improvement of the Zhengzhou International Air Cargo Hub's capability level in accordance with the strategic deployments of the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government. The China-Malaysia aviation hub project will surely boost strategic cooperation in civil aviation, transforming Henan's transportation advantages into economic benefits and supporting the Belt and Road Initiative's high-quality development. (Chinese source: Henan Daily Reporter: Guo Beichen Translator: Tong Lin and Kang Zhibo Proofreader: Wen Xiaomei)
