Shenzhen's Qianhai Shekou Free Trade Zone (FTZ) has unveiled robust foreign trade results for the first half of 2025, reporting a significant 11.5% year-on-year surge in import-export value to 260.8 billion yuan (about $36 billion). Accounting for nearly two-thirds of Guangdong Province's total FTZ trade volume, the zone continues to lead regional economic integration with its "forward-looking, ocean-oriented, and future-focused" development strategy.
This sustained growth reflects Qianhai's role as a national reform experimental field where institutional innovation consistently translates into commercial success. Having topped China's FTZ institutional innovation index for four consecutive years, the zone has pioneered breakthroughs in trade facilitation and investment liberalization. Among its landmark achievements is a revolutionary customs model enabling "single inspection, unified certification, and seamless clearance," alongside the establishment of China's first Global Central Warehouse logistics hub.
The zone's transformation is particularly evident at Mawan Smart Port – the Greater Bay Area's first 5G-powered green port. Here, AI-driven inspection robots equipped with DeepSeek-R1 algorithms perform "second-level verification," reducing inspection times for perishables and hazardous goods by 30-50%. Through its "pre-declaration + intelligent routing" system, export cargo now moves without logistical delays, while smart locks and IoT coordination enable round-the-clock container transfers between Shekou's three terminals. These innovations contributed to Shekou Port handling 8.19 million TEUs of foreign trade containers in H1 2025, a 10.7% increase year-on-year.
Qianhai's strategic proximity to Hong Kong SAR continues to yield dividends, with cross-border trade jumping 90.2% to 59.24 billion yuan. The zone's "front store, rear warehouse" model with Hong Kong – implementing "global sourcing, Qianhai consolidation, and Hong Kong direct delivery" – has boosted warehouse utilization by 52.8%.
Simultaneously, its expanded "bonded plus" maintenance policy now covers specialized products from toy drones to MRI components. Siemens' Qianhai-based global maintenance center, operational since September 2024, repaired nearly 2,000 MRI coils within six months while processing $9.3 million in bonded maintenance trade, demonstrating China’s growing capabilities in high-end medical equipment servicing.
Amid global economic uncertainties, Qianhai has introduced responsive support mechanisms. Joint teams from customs, tax, and foreign exchange authorities now provide rapid solutions for businesses, while customized clearance plans enabled the successful shipment of 2,161 tons of oil rig components to Congo. These measures helped local firms like Guangdong Top Ten Supply Chain achieve tenfold trade growth.
"The Qianhai Shekou FTZ is evolving into a critical junction linking domestic and international markets," stated the Qianhai Authority. "Our ongoing reforms focusing on 'behind-the-border' rules integration will further strengthen China's position in global trade networks."
Reporter: Cai Minling
Photo: Qianhai Authority
Editor: Wei Shen, James, Shen He
