Recent data shows that in the first two months of this year, the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEZ) handled over 126,000 tonnes of cargo, with international freight volume growing by 54.4 percent year on year. The zone also recorded a passenger throughput of about five million.

Since its approval by the State Council in 2013, ZAEZ has evolved from a small town with an area of less than 20 square kilometers and 200,000 residents into a 747-square-kilometer modern aviation city with a population of 800,000.

Building a world-class logistics hub

On March 22, a cargo plane from Malaysia landed at the Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport, delivering premium fruits such as durian and mangosteen. "Such flights arrive weekly," said Du Qiang, a senior officer at the Zhengzhou Airport Customs. Global products like Chilean cherries, Russian ice cream, and Japanese beauty goods arrive via air freight, while Henan-made wigs and outdoor equipment are exported worldwide.

ZAEZ, despite being inland, has pioneered an innovative model for opening up, with "four-port connectivity" linking air, rail, road, and maritime transport. This synergy has significantly enhanced its logistics capabilities.

"With smart sorting, these imported goods quickly reach consumers across China," said Wang Hongzhuang, head of customs affairs at logistics company Cainiao's Zhengzhou bonded logistics park. The region's two-hour high-speed rail network covers a market of 400 million people, making it a major e-commerce hub.

Leading e-commerce platforms like JD.com and Vipshop have established operations here, making the Zhengzhou Xinzheng Comprehensive Bonded Zone a critical distribution center for imported beauty, healthcare, and maternal products. In early 2025, ZAEZ processed 35.08 million cross-border e-commerce transactions, a 93.92 percent increase from the previous year, with a total cargo value of 4.133 billion RMB, up 48.39 percent.

Establishing a globally influential industrial hub

At the smart computing center of the Henan Airport, a 10,000P computing cluster is now fully operational with an impressive 81 percent graphics processing unit utilization. This project has significantly enhanced Henan's digital processing and AI capabilities.

ZAEZ focuses on strategic industries such as electronics, new energy vehicles, biomedicine, aerospace, modern logistics and advanced materials, while also investing in future industries like AI and energy storage, according to Tian Haitao, deputy secretary-general of the Henan provincial government.

Key milestones include the launch of China's largest server production line, a new stock listing for Suda Corporation, a service company for industrial machinery, and the successful launch of a next-gen remote sensing satellite named after the zone. These advancements have solidified ZAEZ's role as a core engine for Henan's high-tech industrial growth.

Global innovation and entrepreneurship magnet

In December 2024, ZAEZ hosted a global entrepreneurship conference, attracting top entrepreneurs worldwide. "Optimizing the business environment and fostering innovation remain our top priorities," said Tian. As one of China's first national innovation hubs, ZAEZ offers strong policy support, funding, and incubation services to attract talent.

The zone integrates top-tier research platforms like the Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science, converting global R&D into industrial applications. Since its establishment in July 2023, the Zhongyuan Medical Science City has signed 66 major projects worth 92.92 billion RMB, with nine already operational, and 243 biotech firms registered.

"By 2025, we will create dedicated teams to accelerate technology commercialization and build a globally influential medical innovation hub," said Qin Xindong, director of the Zhongyuan Medical Science City's management committee.