Driving the transformation and upgrading of cold-chain logistics to support high-quality regional economic development.

　　As a key "vegetable basket" project for Henan Province and Zhengzhou City, Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port is committed to people's livelihoods, driving development through innovation, and continuously advancing the digital transformation and upgrading of the cold-chain logistics industry. With concrete actions, it is helping Henan build new competitive advantages and supporting the region's high-quality economic growth.

　　Located in the heart of central China, Henan Province has been steadily emerging as a frontrunner in opening up to the outside world in recent years. By seizing key national strategic opportunities—such as building a new development paradigm, promoting high-quality growth in the central region during the new era, advancing ecological protection and sustainable development along the Yellow River, and establishing free trade pilot zones—Henan is firmly positioning itself as a vital node in China’s domestic economic loop and a strategic link between domestic and global markets. The province is committed to taking the lead in driving innovation, revitalizing rural areas, safeguarding the environment, and achieving high-quality development across the board.

　　As a key "vegetable basket" project for Henan Province and Zhengzhou City, Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port is committed to people's livelihoods, driving development through innovation, and continuously advancing the digital transformation and upgrading of the cold-chain logistics industry. With concrete actions, it is helping Henan build new competitive advantages and supporting the region's high-quality economic growth.

　　Accelerate the development of a modern circulation system and drive the transformation and upgrading of the logistics industry.

　　Henan is actively contributing to the construction of the new development paradigm by focusing precisely on areas such as optimizing supply, expanding demand, ensuring smooth circulation, and deepening reform and opening-up. The province is honing its strengths in key sectors while striving for greater achievements in integrating into this new development framework. Currently, Henan’s strategic location and transportation advantages are rapidly transforming into hub connectivity benefits, its abundant demographic resources are increasingly becoming a powerful human capital asset, its vast market potential is fast evolving into robust domestic demand capabilities, its solid industrial foundation is accelerating into superior supply capacity, and its strong agricultural and rural assets are swiftly turning into driving forces for rural revitalization. These rapidly maturing advantages are now serving as critical pillars supporting Henan’s seamless integration into the "dual circulation" strategy.

　　Under the new development paradigm, domestic demand potential will become the core factor determining regional competitiveness. Henan Province has positioned expanding domestic demand as the strategic cornerstone for integrating into this new development model, focusing on boosting investment and stimulating consumption. At the same time, the province is advancing transformation and upgrading as a key lever to fully align with the new development framework, striving to enhance the resilience and sophistication of its industrial chains and foundational capabilities. Additionally, ensuring smooth circulation of production factors and resources serves as a robust support for embedding itself in the new development landscape, driving the accelerated construction of a modern logistics system—particularly emphasizing cold-chain logistics, express delivery logistics, and e-commerce logistics—to continuously fuel the transformative growth of the logistics sector and keep the broader economic cycle flowing seamlessly.

　　On March 30, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting to review the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting High-Quality Development in the Central Region in the New Era." The meeting emphasized that, as an important component of the nation's vast market and a key spatial hub, the central region must clearly define its role, leverage its strengths, and accelerate the construction of a modern infrastructure system and a robust modern circulation network. This includes fostering the development of the Yangtze River Midstream City Cluster and the Central Plains City Cluster, comprehensively advancing rural revitalization, and actively supporting and integrating into the country’s new development paradigm.

　　Henan, as the most populous province in central China, with the largest economic output and highest industrial production value, plays a leading and driving role in the region’s high-quality development. Seizing this golden opportunity, Henan must leverage its inherent strengths and firmly capitalize on the critical period of accelerated growth—when accumulated momentum is already taking shape. By doing so, it can boldly step up as the primary engine propelling high-quality development in the central region for the new era, while steadfastly fulfilling its responsibility to support the nation’s broader strategic goals. As a strategic hub connecting east and west and linking north and south, Henan boasts exceptional geographic and transportation advantages. These natural assets give the province a distinct edge in fostering modern logistics and seamlessly integrating domestic and international economic cycles. Moving forward, Henan should focus on advancing the construction of a new wave of major transportation infrastructure projects, accelerating the transformation of its geographical and transport strengths into robust hub-linkage capabilities. This approach will not only drive robust logistics networks and spur the growth of thriving industries but also expedite the province’s emergence as a world-class logistics channel hub—connecting both domestic and overseas markets while radiating influence across eastern, central, and western regions. Ultimately, Henan aims to establish itself as a pioneering international hub economy zone with global reach and impact.

　　Central to local governments are rolling out favorable policies to accelerate the transformation and upgrading of the cold-chain logistics sector.

　　The cold-chain logistics industry is a vital component of the modern logistics sector and serves as a critical support element for the agricultural product supply chain. In recent years, China's cold-chain logistics market has expanded steadily year after year. Notably, during the pandemic, demand for and acceptance of frozen products surged dramatically, presenting the frozen cold-chain industry with a new opportunity for rapid growth. According to data from the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing Cold Chain Committee, the national total capacity of cold storage facilities is projected to surpass 70.8 million tons in 2020, representing a year-on-year increase of 17.1%. Meanwhile, the number of refrigerated trucks nationwide is expected to reach 286,700 units, up 33.54% compared to the previous year.

　　Cold-chain logistics touches on critical areas such as people's livelihoods, making it a key focus of national attention. From the central government down to local authorities, a series of targeted policies have been introduced—covering initiatives like building cold-chain hubs, supporting agricultural products, addressing pandemic-related requirements, and advancing industry digitalization—providing multi-dimensional guidance to foster the healthy development of the cold-chain logistics sector. In 2021, the Central Document No. 1 outlined numerous measures aimed at comprehensively promoting rural revitalization and accelerating the modernization of agriculture and rural areas, with the development of cold-chain logistics being one of these strategic moves. The document emphasized "speeding up the implementation of projects to build agricultural product storage, preservation, and cold-chain logistics facilities, while advancing the construction of small-scale on-farm storage and preservation cold-chain systems, low-temperature direct-sales distribution centers at production sites, and national backbone cold-chain logistics bases."

　　To effectively implement the requirements outlined in the Central No. 1 Document and the arrangements made at the Central Rural Work Conference, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce jointly issued the "Notice on Further Strengthening the Construction of Agricultural Product Supply Chain Systems" on May 10. The notice emphasizes prioritizing key areas such as cross-regional agricultural wholesale markets and trunk-line cold-chain logistics, addressing critical gaps in agricultural product distribution infrastructure, and ensuring smooth flow along the "major arteries" of agricultural product circulation. Additionally, it calls for enhancing primary processing facilities and equipment in production areas to support the "first kilometer," while improving the "last-mile" accessibility and convenience of farmers' markets and vegetable markets, thereby fostering a robust "micro-circulation" system that keeps agricultural products flowing efficiently from farm to table.

　　Henan boasts a superior transportation location and robust market demand, with clear industrial advantages in agricultural product processing and food manufacturing. As a result, the province is uniquely positioned—and well-equipped—to develop a thriving cold-chain logistics sector. The provincial Party Committee and provincial government place high priority on the transformation and growth of the cold-chain logistics industry, positioning it as a key pillar for building a strong service-oriented province and fostering hub-based economic development. This initiative is seen as a vital tool for supporting national development strategies, optimizing resource allocation, driving cost reductions and efficiency gains, and ultimately meeting the growing demand for higher-quality living among the public. To achieve these goals, multiple strategic measures are being implemented simultaneously, with intensified efforts to accelerate progress.

　　The "Henan Province Logistics Industry Transformation and Development Plan (2018-2020)" identifies cold-chain logistics as one of the three key priorities for accelerating the transformation and development of Henan's modern logistics industry. By 2020, the plan aims to establish a province-wide cold-chain logistics system that features complete supply chains, advanced facilities, robust standards, and highly efficient services. Meanwhile, Zhengzhou is set to solidify its position as an international cold-chain logistics hub and a national-level cold-chain distribution and sorting center, placing Henan among the nation's leaders in cold-chain logistics development. The "Henan Province Cold-Chain Logistics Transformation and Development Action Plan" emphasizes a strategic focus on scaling up operations, standardizing practices, embracing smart technologies, and fostering specialization. It also underscores the importance of refining and implementing industry standards, strengthening supportive policies, driving institutional and systemic innovations, addressing both hardware and software gaps, nurturing leading cold-chain logistics enterprises, and ultimately building a cutting-edge, modern cold-chain logistics ecosystem—ultimately positioning Henan as a globally recognized powerhouse in this critical sector.

　　The Henan Province's "14th Five-Year" Plan outlines the establishment of a modern logistics system built around the model of "Channels + Hubs + Networks," aiming to strengthen specialized logistics sectors such as cold-chain, air freight, e-commerce, and express delivery. The plan seeks to create a trillion-yuan-level, fully integrated logistics service industry chain and accelerate the province's transformation into a leading logistics powerhouse. Additionally, the plan emphasizes advancing the digital transformation of industries, highlighting the pivotal role of digitalization in driving innovation, unlocking new opportunities, and delivering transformative value across the board—spanning industries, agriculture, and the service sector. Key initiatives include implementing the "5G + Industrial Internet" project, bolstering the development and attraction of industrial internet platforms, and fostering the growth of digital and smart agriculture. Furthermore, the plan encourages the emergence of innovative logistics models like "Internet + " vehicle-cargo matching services and non-carrier-based freight forwarding solutions. It also focuses on enhancing agricultural product storage, preservation, and cold-chain logistics systems, while promoting digital financial products and services to spur broader industry-wide innovation.

Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port Agricultural Product Distribution Center

　　Currently, the Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port boasts a low-temperature cold storage capacity of 280,000 tons. To bolster COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, the company has invested in constructing a centralized supervision warehouse for imported cold-chain food products in Zhengzhou, ensuring food safety even as epidemic防控 measures become part of daily life. The logistics port is home to nearly 2,000 operating businesses and hosts close to 50 logistics enterprises. It handles an annual trade volume exceeding 5 million tons of meat and seafood products, with frozen goods accounting for over 100 billion yuan in annual transactions. This thriving hub has also created more than 200,000 jobs in related industries, positioning Henan Province as a leader in seamlessly integrating participation in the country’s new development paradigm with regional livelihood initiatives.

　　In recent years, Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Products Logistics Port has implemented multiple initiatives to drive the transformation and upgrading of the cold-chain logistics industry. By advancing the entire cold-chain logistics chain toward智能化 (smart), 科技化 (technology-driven), and 自动化 (automation), the port is helping to fuel high-quality regional economic growth. Actively aligning with China’s Digital China initiative, the port leverages the industrial internet as a key enabler, employing cutting-edge information technology to strengthen its logistics platform development. This forward-thinking approach fosters deep integration and innovation between digital technologies and cold-chain logistics, propelling the industry into a new wave of digitalization. The port has also partnered with Singapore’s First Group and Singapore Global Holdings Group to comprehensively enhance its cold-chain logistics supply chain and build an end-to-end信息化 (information-based) platform. Through innovative cold-chain logistics models, these collaborations are elevating both cold-chain technology and digital capabilities, paving the way for higher-level, more sophisticated development in the sector.Moreover, the port is actively promoting the development of cold-chain logistics supply chain finance by establishing robust platforms for government-bank-enterprise cooperation. It has formed comprehensive partnerships with financial institutions such as the Bank of Communications, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and China Construction Bank, while fostering close collaboration with upstream and downstream enterprises. This initiative aims to enhance tailored financial services for businesses operating within and around the logistics port, offering high-quality financial solutions to merchants across the country. By leveraging supply chain finance and capitalizing on its pivotal role as Zhengzhou’s International Cold-Chain Logistics Hub and the nation’s leading cold-chain distribution and sorting center, the port is positioning itself as a premier national hub—serving not only as a major trading and settlement center but also as a vibrant cluster for cold-chain-related industries.

　　Currently, the digital transformation of the cold-chain logistics sector has become an inevitable trend. Looking ahead, Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port should accelerate its pace of digital transformation, embracing smart cold-chain logistics to create a cutting-edge, intelligent logistics hub—and ultimately set a new benchmark for the industry's move toward greater operational intelligence. Leveraging digital technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, IoT, and blockchain, the port will focus on refining its digital supply chain service system, optimizing its digital cold-storage management framework, enhancing its intelligent冷链物流 tracking capabilities, and developing a robust, multi-dimensional cold-chain logistics network. These efforts will not only strengthen the platform’s competitive edge but also elevate its ability to deliver superior services. Moreover, the port will unlock the full potential of logistics information resources across key areas—including quality traceability, integrated supply-chain support services, advanced management solutions, inclusive financial services, and enterprise credit evaluation—maximizing data-driven value creation and paving the way for high-quality growth in the industry. Finally, by further advancing supply-chain finance reforms, the port aims to foster deeper integration between capital flows, supply chains, and industrial ecosystems. This initiative will help build a thriving, digitally enabled environment that supports the seamless digital transformation and upgrading of cold-chain logistics enterprises—as well as their upstream and downstream partners.

A neatly organized section of the Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port.

　　Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port currently boasts 280,000 tons of low-temperature cold storage capacity. To strengthen COVID-19 prevention and control efforts, the company has invested in building a centralized supervision warehouse for imported cold-chain food products in Zhengzhou, ensuring food safety even as epidemic防控 measures become routine. The logistics port is home to nearly 2,000 operating businesses and hosts close to 50 logistics enterprises. It handles an annual trade volume exceeding 5 million tons of meat and seafood products, with frozen goods accounting for over 100 billion yuan in annual transactions. This thriving hub has also created more than 200,000 jobs in related industries, positioning Henan Province as a pioneer in seamlessly integrating participation in the country’s new development paradigm with regional livelihood initiatives.

　　In recent years, Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Products Logistics Port has taken multiple measures to drive the transformation and upgrading of the cold-chain logistics industry. By advancing the entire cold-chain logistics chain toward智能化 (smart), 科技化 (technology-driven), and 自动化 (automation), the port is helping to fuel high-quality regional economic growth. Actively aligning with China’s Digital China initiative, the port leverages the industrial internet as a key driver, using cutting-edge information technology to empower its logistics platform development. This approach fosters deep integration and innovation between digital technologies and cold-chain logistics, propelling the industry into a new wave of digitalization. The port has also partnered with Singapore’s First Group and Singapore Global Holdings Group to comprehensively strengthen its cold-chain logistics supply chain and build an end-to-end信息化 (information-based) platform. Through innovative cold-chain logistics models, these collaborations are elevating both cold-chain technology and digital capabilities, paving the way for higher-level, more sophisticated development in the sector. Moreover, the port is actively promoting the development of cold-chain logistics supply chain finance by establishing robust platforms for government-bank-enterprise cooperation. It has forged comprehensive partnerships with financial institutions such as the Bank of Communications, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, and China Construction Bank, while fostering close collaboration with upstream and downstream enterprises. This effort aims to enhance financial services tailored to businesses operating within and around the logistics port, providing high-quality financial solutions to merchants nationwide. By capitalizing on supply chain finance and leveraging its role as a key player in Zhengzhou’s International Cold-Chain Logistics Hub and the nation’s leading cold-chain distribution and sorting center, the port is positioning itself as a premier national hub—serving not only as a major trading and settlement center but also as a vibrant cluster for cold-chain-related industries.

　　Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port is actively implementing Henan Province’s strategic positioning of integrating into the Belt and Road Initiative, continuously building a comprehensive logistics network system, and fostering multi-dimensional international collaborations to achieve the goal of enabling cold-chain products to be sourced globally and sold worldwide. In line with the nation’s innovation-driven development strategy, the port is proactively promoting the integrated growth of its industrial and innovation chains, creating an innovative ecosystem that seamlessly connects industry, academia, and research. Additionally, Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port has initiated a specialized research collaboration with Guosheng Think Tank, jointly conducting studies, academic discussions, and expert consultations focused on key topics related to the Belt and Road Initiative and the port’s unique role in this initiative, leveraging smart, science-based decision-making to drive the port’s high-quality, sustainable development.

　　On May 26, the National Think Tank for China and the Belt and Road Professional Committee of the China Business History Association awarded Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port Co., Ltd. the title of "Silk Road International Brand Port." Experts from the research team noted that Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port has actively aligned with national policies, focusing on people's livelihoods and deeply investing in the cold-chain logistics sector. Through concrete actions, the company has significantly contributed to Henan's high-quality integration into the broader Belt and Road Initiative, playing a pioneering and exemplary role in boosting regional economic and social development. It stands as a flagship, landmark project showcasing the successful implementation of the Belt and Road vision.

Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Products Logistics Port Co., Ltd. has been honored as the "Silk Road International Brand Port."

　　Currently, the digital transformation of the cold-chain logistics sector has become an inevitable trend. Looking ahead, Henan Zhongyuan Four Seasons Aquatic Product Logistics Port should accelerate its pace of digital transformation, embracing smart cold-chain logistics to create a cutting-edge, intelligent logistics hub—and ultimately set a new benchmark for the industry's move toward greater operational intelligence. Building on digital technologies such as big data, artificial intelligence, IoT, and blockchain, the port will focus on refining its digital supply chain service system, optimizing its digital cold-storage management framework, enhancing its intelligent冷链物流 tracking capabilities, and developing a robust, multi-dimensional cold-chain logistics network. These efforts will not only strengthen the platform’s competitive edge but also elevate its ability to deliver superior services. Moreover, the port will unlock the full potential of logistics information resources across key areas—including quality traceability, integrated supply-chain support services, advanced management solutions, inclusive financial services, and enterprise credit evaluation—maximizing data-driven value creation and paving the way for high-quality growth in the industry. Finally, by further advancing supply-chain finance reforms, the port aims to foster deeper integration between capital flows, supply chains, and industrial ecosystems. This initiative will help build a thriving, digitally enabled environment that supports the seamless digital transformation and upgrading of cold-chain logistics enterprises—as well as their upstream and downstream partners.