Diplomats Decode China's Solutions for Global Connectivity at the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone in Henan Province

The number of foreign trade enterprises has officially surpassed the 1,000 mark, with business activity surging by 44.12% year-on-year. The newly operational core functional area of Zhengzhou International Land Port features "eight bundles of 16 operational tracks", with an annual handling capacity of up to 10 million tons. The Central China Medical Science District has signed 88 projects, and 263 biomedical enterprises have registered there. These figures showcase the vitality of growth, as the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone (ZAEZ) in Henan Province continues to capture global attention with its remarkable momentum.

Diplomats visit the ZAEZ

On September 25, diplomats in China participating in the "Decoding China's Intelligent Manufacturing · Witnessing a Green Future—2025 Global Diplomats' Tour of Henan" visited the ZAEZ. From globally oriented medical innovation hubs to transcontinental rail freight corridors, the diplomats experienced firsthand the latest achievements in technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and the high-quality development of port and hub economies—gaining deeper insight into China's solutions for advancing global connectivity.

Diplomats explore technology applications

"Has this technology entered clinical trials?" "How is it being applied?" At the Nanozyme Laboratory, the diplomats raised a series of questions during a briefing on research and applications. The laboratory focuses on fundamental breakthroughs, innovative technologies, and tackling key challenges in the field of nanozymes, with the goal of building a nationally leading and internationally first-class innovation hub.

Diplomats listen to the briefing

As a core project of the ZAEZ, the Central China Medical Science District serves as a flagship of Henan's "One Academy, One District, One Industrial Cluster" strategy and is positioned as a global benchmark in the biomedical and health industry. Today, it is witnessing the rapid convergence of top research institutions, leading medical enterprises, and world-class innovative talent. With the deep integration of industry, academia, research, and healthcare, its innovation ecosystem is thriving, enabling major technological breakthroughs, and shaping a globally significant hub for medical innovation within the ZAEZ.

Zhengzhou International Land Port

In June, the core functional area of Zhengzhou International Land Port was officially put into operation. It is designed with 8 sets of 16 tracks and an annual handling capacity of 10 million tons.

Aligned with its strategic positioning goals as a "world-class international railway hub port", a "demonstration zone for innovative development of transport, trade and industry linked to the China-Europe Railway Express", and a "pioneering zone for high-quality port economy development", Zhengzhou International Land Port is planned with seven major functional areas, further divided into 26 specialized sections. This provides essential infrastructure support for Henan to build a new inland hub of openness and integrate more deeply into the Belt and Road Initiative.

Diplomats attentively listen to the introduction

"At the ZAEZ, I witnessed the assembly process of BYD vehicles and learned how they are shipped globally through the railway hub. The International Land Port makes import and export trade much more convenient, strengthening connectivity between China and the world. I look forward to closer ties between China and Argentina," said Lisandro Basílico, an Argentine diplomat in China.

As an important window for Henan's opening-up, the ZAEZ leverages its strengths in governance, transport hubs, openness, business environment, and industrial base. It drives industrial innovation through technological advancement and promotes high-quality development through greater openness—achieving rapid, extraordinary growth and an increasingly international profile.

"The development here is remarkable and impressively fast. The construction experience of the ZAEZ, along with Henan's practices in agricultural development, are highly valuable and worth bringing back to my country as a reference," said Barrett Salato, Ambassador of the Solomon Islands to China.