Several prominent Chinese trade hubs are actively expanding their international routes to capture a broader range of overseas markets. In this context, Shenzhen, located in South China's Guangdong Province, has recently unveiled plans to enhance international maritime routes to Europe, Oceania, and Africa. This strategy aims to increase the frequency of shipping lines dedicated to cross-border e-commerce.

According to an article from the Shenzhen Government Information Office, the city has introduced a comprehensive plan consisting of 20 measures aimed at fostering the high-quality development of services and digital trade. This initiative reflects Shenzhen's commitment to evolving into a significant player in the global economic landscape.

The new development plan is structured around four main areas: facilitating the effective flow of trade resources, innovating digital trade frameworks, enhancing the overall services trade landscape, and bolstering the support system for these endeavors. These measures are designed to elevate Shenzhen's competitive edge in services and digital trade, propelling its transformation into an economically influential global city.

A key element of this initiative is the expansion of international maritime routes, particularly those leading to Europe, Oceania, and Africa. The goal is to bolster the volume of cross-border e-commerce shipping lines. Furthermore, the plan emphasizes the growth of bonded fuel oil and liquefied natural gas bunkering services for international vessels, fostering a diverse range of upstream and downstream business interactions.

Additionally, the plan advocates for the export of comprehensive services pertaining to digital cities and smart urban development, targeting emerging markets such as ASEAN, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Southern Europe. It aims to bolster the role of municipal state-owned enterprises alongside private sector players in Shenzhen to introduce technologies and services across various sectors, including digital energy and commercial infrastructure.

Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade, remarked that this latest policy illustrates Shenzhen's proactive approach to leveraging its strengths in the digital economy while broadening its offerings in value-added telecommunications and service exports.

Furthermore, Li emphasized that these initiatives serve as a strategic guide for foreign trade enterprises looking to diversify their global markets amid increasing external uncertainties, thereby advancing export growth not only for Shenzhen but also for the broader Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Recent data from the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily highlights that Shenzhen Port successfully added 14 international liner routes in the first quarter of the year, raising the total to nearly 300 routes that connect over 300 ports across more than 100 countries and regions worldwide.

From January to April, Shenzhen’s Yantian Port further expanded its international presence by adding six new routes. The port now links key trade regions including Europe, the Americas, and Asia, hosting more than 10 dedicated cross-border e-commerce shipping lines.

Beyond Shenzhen, other major trade hubs in China are also increasing their international routes to tap into new markets. For instance, since May, Qingdao Port in East China's Shandong Province has launched three new routes extending to South and Central America and the Middle East, aligning with the Belt and Road Initiative.

Moreover, Dalian Port in Northeast China's Liaoning Province has opened new shipping routes to regions such as South Africa, the Mediterranean, and Mexico this year, thereby establishing global maritime channels for automotive brands like FAW, BMW Brilliance, and Chery.

In light of the challenges facing multilateral trade, cities across China are proactively seeking to establish new overseas market connections. This approach not only mitigates uncertainties in the external trade environment but also enhances the resilience and dynamism of China's overall foreign trade.