Transportation and technology improve lives in Haicang

International freight train route creates spike in trade

Haicang district in Xiamen, Fujian province, has evolved into a key hub in China's Belt and Road Initiative.

When the Xiamen-Chengdu-Europe international fast rail freight train was launched on Aug 16 last year, it was only meant to operate once a week, but such has been the demand for the service there are now two trains a week connecting the Haicang Port Area of Xiamen Free Trade Zone to Lodz in Poland.

It has transported a cargo value of $100 million so far, and its attraction has been such that goods from Taiwan also travel to Europe along this route.

"Before the railway opened, it took 35 to 40 days for goods to reach Europe by sea," said Xing Yi, deputy general manager at New Silk Railway Xiamen Ltd. "Air transport, while quicker, costs more and there are packaging restrictions. Transporting goods by train suits our customers, as it is faster than ship and cheaper than air, and doesn't have the restrictions on goods and packages."

Xiamen customs has simplified its inspection procedures to make the process of transporting by rail as convenient as possible.

Haicang Port Area currently handles more than 60 percent of the goods that pass through Xiamen.

Known as the Golden West Logistics Corridor, the railway highlights the important role Haicang plays in China's international trade and its position as a key link in the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Haicang has made remarkable achievements over the past five years. Of the 114 key industrial enterprises in the city, 40 grew by more than 20 percent in terms of volume and two went public in the first half of this year.

At the forefront of these achievements is the biomedical industry, which now accounts for one-half of Xiamen's total industry and one-quarter of that of the whole province.

"Led by the country's four major policies in innovation, industrial transformation in Haicang has been taking great strides," said Meng Qian, director of Haicang district.

Over the past five years, Haicang's average GDP growth was 12 percent per year and its total fixed asset investment and district-level fiscal revenue doubled.

The average annual growth in the per capita disposable income of residents over the five years exceeded 10 percent, and the per capita GDP was $25,000 in 2015, reaching the level of moderately developed countries.

Haicang's comprehensive strength was evaluated 13th on the list of "100 excellent districts in China".

The booming economy has improved the livelihoods residents in Haicang.

The local government has also being working hard to improve the quality of life in the district.

Through its efforts to improve the local environment, green has become the predominant color in the district.

The plant coverage of the area has reached 44.7 percent and the forest coverage has reached 40.7 percent.

The per capita parkland has reached 11.3 square meters; and it has become the first city district to be named a "national ecological zone".

Besides improving the local environment, the district's authorities have also improved residents' quality of life by improving the transport infrastructure, education facilities, hospitals and administrative services. Over the past five years, the population in Haicang has grown by 15 percent, making it the fastest growing district in Xiamen.

Fascinated by its diverse charm and appeal, more and more people are choosing to live in Haicang.

It is also one of the largest and earliest destinations for investment from Taiwan.

With people from the island saying that with the unremitting efforts to improve public services and people's livelihoods, Haicang has become a very attractive place to live and work.

zhuanti@chinadaily.com.cn