Dalian is making significant strides towards becoming a pivotal hub under its strategic "two leading areas and three centers" initiative, emphasizing high-level openness and integration with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Leveraging Dalian Port's extensive trade routes and Free Trade Zone resources, the city is fast-tracking the development of an international land-sea logistics hub. The hub, centered around sea and air ports and supported by multimodal transport facilities, aims to enhance connectivity and serve as a key platform for integrating with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

In the first quarter of this year, Dalian's ports handled 74.09 million tons of cargo, a 6 percent increase year-on-year, with container throughput reaching 1.24 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), up by 10.6 percent. Notably, the volume and frequency of China-Europe freight trains have steadily increased, with transit cargo reaching 838 TEUs, far exceeding last year's levels.

This year, Dalian has launched new shipping routes to India, Indonesia, and South America, filling gaps in direct services from Dalian Port.

Dalian is enhancing its coastal open economy by bolstering the Northeast sea-land corridor. Efforts include expanding China-Europe freight train routes, such as the new route linking Dalian through Heilongjiang port to Russia. In the first quarter of 2024, Dalian operated 72 China-Europe freight trains, transporting 7,800 TEUs, marking increases of 157 percent and 146 percent respectively compared to the same period last year.

The establishment of Dalian Zhongshan Shipping Service Platform Co Ltd, the first professional shipping service platform with a state-owned background in Dalian, aims to attract shipping elements by offering comprehensive support. Since its inception, it has attracted over 20 shipping-related enterprises to Dalian.

The quality of shipping financial services continues to improve. The Dalian Area of China (Liaoning) Pilot Free Trade Zone, in collaboration with the Dalian branch of Industrial Bank, has jointly launched a new “shipping finance” model to facilitate maritime fee payments.

Dalian International Airport has expanded services, adding new routes to Mangshi in Yunnan and increasing flights to major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The airport has notably enhanced its direct flights to provincial capitals across China, solidifying its position as a leader in Northeast China. Additionally, new cargo and passenger routes have been introduced to cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Vladivostok, Kitakyushu, Nha Trang, and Ho Chi Minh City, with a total of 123 regular international flights per week now available.

Currently, Dalian airports host 42 domestic and international airlines operating 191 routes that connect to 121 cities worldwide, including 106 domestic and 15 international destinations.

The under-construction Dalian Jinzhou Bay International Airport will feature four runways and a 900,000 square meter terminal, designed to handle 80 million passengers and 1.5 million tons of cargo annually. Once completed, it will integrate into a comprehensive multi-modal transportation hub network, connecting seamlessly with Dalian North Railway Station and Dalian Bay Passenger Terminal.

Dalian will continue to elevate its status as Northeast Asia's international shipping center and logistics hub, driving forward comprehensive revitalization efforts and pioneering breakthroughs in regional economic development.