Henan emerges as logistics hub for Latin American trade

This year marks the 10th anniversary of China's proposal to build a China-Latin America community with a shared future. Over the past decade, Henan province has significantly contributed to China's deep connection with Latin America.

Henan has positioned itself as a logistics hub connecting the Chinese and Latin American markets, thanks to its Zhengzhou-Luxembourg Air Silk Road. As of the end of October, Zhengzhou Airport operates 24 international cargo airlines and 38 international cargo routes, according to the airport's information office.

Historically, agricultural products such as peppers, potatoes and pumpkins were introduced to China by way of Latin America. Today, thanks to the convenience of air freight, Chile's fresh cherries have become a seasonal favorite among the people of Henan. Other Latin American goods, like Ecuadorian white shrimp, Chilean wine and Mexican beer, also make their way to Henan before being dispatched around the country.

Meanwhile, increasing numbers of Henan-based enterprises have taken root in the Latin American market.

In August, Zhengzhou hosted the 17th China Latin America Entrepreneurs Summit Promotion Conference, wherein ambassadors from 11 Latin American and Caribbean countries visited to invite Henan enterprises to invest in their homelands.

Zhengzhou Yutong Bus attracted attention for its recent delivery of 274 Yutong buses to Mexico, which set a record for the largest batch of hybrid bus orders imported by the nation and marked a breakthrough for Yutong in accelerating its internationalization process.

The company has been exporting buses to the Latin American market since 2005. The company has achieved large-scale sales and stable operations in over 20 countries and regions, including Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Jamaica. It has cumulative sales in Latin America exceeding 28,000, making it the mainstream Chinese bus brand in the Latin American market.

Other companies in Henan, including CITIC Heavy Industries and YTO Group, have maintained close cooperation with countries in Latin America in the fields of mining equipment and agricultural machinery.

Statistics showed that Henan's imports and exports to Latin America reached 62.1 billion yuan ($8.6 billion) in the first three quarters of this year, up 8.6 percent year-on-year.