As part of the new industry cooperation zone, the bonded port possesses the highest level of customs surveillance in China. Its mission is to consolidate the development of a modern service industry and help the improvement of other industry sectors in the Pearl River Delta region.

"DHL's involvement at Qianhai is a historic opportunity to further expand its services, accelerate its business integration, promote resource sharing and innovate its business model," Hui says. "DHL's leading role in the supply chain services industry there will significantly help the area's development."

The company will also look at the feasibility of establishing a regional business headquarters at Qianhai.

The DHL-CMG project is fully supported by the Shenzhen government.

Zhang Wen, vice-mayor of Shenzhen, says that innovation is the life and soul of Shenzhen and the main driver for the logistics industry to transform and move to the next level.

Shenzhen will seize the opportunity provided by the special economic zone innovation development to maintain steady growth, but in the long run, he says, the city must prioritize to speed up transformation and attract more resources in various areas, including low-carbon development and social construction.

As China will remain the main engine for regional and global economic growth for years to come, DHL is also looking to develop and expand its business across the country.

"We are committed to retaining our market-leading position here by helping international players to be successful in China, as well as supporting Chinese fast-growing enterprises in their international growth," says Appel. "As a pioneer in the Chinese express and logistics market, we will be capitalizing on the massive opportunities this country of superlatives is offering."

On July 12, the company announced the opening of its biggest express port in Asia, DHL Express North Asia Hub, at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, with total investment of $175 million (139 million euros).

The company also announced plans to invest $132 million in eight aircraft to service high-demand routes between Shanghai and North Asia, Europe and the US, by 2014.

Last year, the company bought three Boeing 747-400 converted freighters for 100 million euros to increase its capacity in the region.

"DHL pioneered express services in the region 40 years ago, and was the first international express company to enter China 32 years ago," says Ken Allen, CEO of DHL Express. "Shanghai is one of the key commercial centers of China and gateway to the Yangtze River Delta, which accounts for almost 39 percent of China's total value of imports and exports.

"The DHL Express North Asia Hub will play a critical role by supporting growth, improving transit times and network reliability, and providing a foundation for later pick-ups and earlier deliveries for customers across North Asia."

Last year, DHL Global Forwarding opened five new offices in Central and East China to expand its China coverage and meet the demands of shifting manufacturing patterns.

At present, DHL Global Forwarding China has branch offices in 40 cities across the country.

yanyiqi@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/07/2012 page15)