Tianjin to increase its stature as a transportation hub

The metropolis is not only poised to become a vital trade hub for the rest of China, but also for the entire world, by bolstering transportation networks both at home and internationally, and through the application of intelligence technologies.

At a news conference on Monday, the port city announced its aim to build a world-class smart port by 2035, with container throughput exceeding 30 million TEUs.

Giving full play to the role of intelligent technologies, the port has built a world-first automated container facility, with intelligent tallying being used in all terminals for the first time.

This is part of the city's efforts to better play its vital role as the sea gate of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, meeting point of the Belt and Road, and important stop on the New Eurasian Continental Bridge Economic Corridor.

According to the newly-released Xinhua-Baltic Exchange International Shipping Center Development Index, Tianjin ranks 20th among global shipping centers, a significant rise from 30th in 2018.

Officials said they will also increase efforts to develop bonded logistics business, cross-border e-commerce, rail-sea interaction and leasing business and other high-end shipping services.

The coming years will also witness upgraded and growing railway and road networks both inside the city and connecting it to the outside.

Transportation times will be cut down to within one hour with more inter-city bullet trains put in place, greatly strengthening the city’s connection with the capital and the surrounding major cities of Hebei province.