Investment, trade, tourism boom in Dalian

Donggang Business District, which is still under construction, is playing a key role in building Dalian into an international shipping, financial and trade center in Northeast Asia. [Photo provided to China Daily]

At the port, ships carry auto parts, machinery and equipment and daily commodities made in other parts of China to Europe via the Liaoning-Manzhouli-Europe international transportation line that starts in Dalian.

As Northeast China's opening-up frontier, Dalian port deals with more than 90 percent of the region's foreign trade goods. The port has more than 100 domestic and international shipping lines that connect with more than 300 major ports around the world. The port's annual cargo throughput in 2014 reached 420 million metric tons.

The port authority said Dalian Port Group is committed to building three international marine-railway channels that connect to Europe, including the Liaoning-Manzhouli-Europe route, which is 10,868 kilometers long and starts in Dalian and runs to Manzhouli, bordering Russia, before continuing to Europe.

The Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road initiatives, proposed by the central government, are expected to strengthen port construction in 15 cities including Dalian, which was designated as a pilot and pioneer port on the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

Party chief Tang said the city will enthusiastically engage in the Belt and Road Initiative to further open up, promote foreign trade and explore new areas of exports to emerging economies.

Since January, exports from Dalian to countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative have risen rapidly.

Yun Yuhang, marketing manager of Dalian Tucheng International Trade Co, said the company shifted its focus from Europe and North America to emerging economies on the Belt and Road route since the beginning of this year. The company managed to get equipment orders from Southeast Asia and Russia and achieved a double-digit increase in export volume.

"Our main products of insulation equipment and power accessories are really popular in these countries," he said.

Attracted by business opportunities generated by the Belt and Road Initiative, the company reinforces efforts to develop markets along the Belt and Road by participating in overseas exhibitions and founding professional teams to promote foreign trade.

The Belt and Road, with the Asia-Pacific economic ring to the east and the EU to the West, is regarded as one of the longest economic corridors with the greatest potential in the world. Local companies in Dalian have developed core competitiveness in proprietary brands, technology innovation and product quality to expand markets along the corridor.