A cumulative total of more than 105,200 tonnes of goods, with a value of around 1.2 billion U.S. dollars, have traveled along its tracks.
Meanwhile, the State Council formally identified Zhengzhou as a center for international trade by air two years ago, putting investment and policy support behind its development.
According to the Civil Aviation Administration of China, the cargo and mail throughput of Zhengzhou airport reached 370,000 tonnes last year, ranking eighth in the country. The airport currently has more than 25 international air freight routes, linking Zhengzhou with the rest of Asia, Europe, the United States and Australia.
Thanks to its booming transport network, Henan's import and export value exceeded 309 billion yuan (around 50 billion U.S. dollars) in the first three quarters of this year, up 21.2 percent year on year, despite the country's economic downturn. Zhengzhou contributed 60 percent of the province's growth in this field.
"The landlocked city has stood at the frontier of opening up," said Sun Yuning, chief of Zhengzhou Customs.
The city, as a logistics center and transport hub, has also attracted entrepreneurs under policies the government hopes will breed modern-day business legends there.
More than 3,000 people are working at 57 startups in a Zhengdong office block specially designated for the purpose. The companies contributed more than 500 million yuan in tax this year.
"The convenient logistics and open environment have provided us with more opportunities," said Nie Weixian, chairman of an e-commerce company in the building.
"Zhengzhou needs more chance to be known by the world as an international logistics center and innovative city. Conferences like the SCO prime ministers' meeting can give Zhengzhou and people here this chance," Nie added.
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