Taipei Express, a container ship shuttling between Pingtan and Taiwan unloading at Jinjing Port of Pingtan [File Photo]

As China gears up for the upcoming "618" shopping festival, workers at the warehouse of  Pingtan Cross-border E-commerce Park are bustling to meet the demands of the event. Meanwhile, at Pingtan’s Jinjing Port, the cross-Straits container ship Taipei Express is busy unloading its cargo, ready to be shipped to destinations across the country. These scenes offer a glimpse into the thriving cross-border e-commerce industry in Pingtan, which is experiencing impressive growth thanks to years of dedication and its advantage as a gateway to Taiwan. Pingtan is the closest place on the mainland to the island of Taiwan.

In 2015, Pingtan was named the 10th cross-border e-commerce bonded import pilot city. Since then, the city has achieved significant growth and development in this sector. In 2020, Pingtan was included in the China (Fuzhou) Cross-border E-commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zone, further cementing its position as a key player in the cross-border e-commerce industry. In 2022, the cross-border e-commerce transaction volume in Pingtan reached an impressive 10.6 billion yuan, representing a 20% year-on-year increase.

The success of the cross-border e-commerce industry in Pingtan can be attributed to a number of factors, such as the optimization of trade links and customs clearance procedures. The city has also benefited from stable cross-Straits marine routes, which have contributed to the steady trade growth. Meanwhile, Pingtan's logistics and trade enterprises have also experienced rapid developmentthanks to more optimized export chain services.

Huang Sheng, executive vice president of Fujian KJT Cross-Border E-Commerce Co., Ltd., recalls the early days when they could only purchase Australian products. Today, they can import products globally, expanding their product categories and trade routes. "The optimization of the trade links and the convenience of customs clearance allowed us to expand," Huang said.

The Taipei Express has been a crucial component of Pingtan's cross-border e-commerce prosperity. In 2022, the ship made 144 round trips, carrying over 40,000 containers for import and export. The operation of the Taipei Express has opened up a new sea channel for cross-Straits trade, which is of great significance in promoting economic, social, and cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two sides.

The cross-border e-commerce industry has become the vital drive for stable foreign trade growth in Pingtan. Not only has it led to a transformative trend in traditional trade, but cross-border e-commerce has also become a new engine for economic growth. Today, cross-border e-commerce has become a vital support for the city's economy, driving innovation and job creation.

As Pingtan looks to the future, the city is planning to expand its cross-border e-commerce industry further. The Economic Development Bureau of Pingtan is accelerating its layout to promote the high-quality development of digital trade. This year, Pingtan plans to cultivate new cross-border e-commerce business formats and create a base for cross-border e-commerce sellers to start their businesses, with the goal of going global through cross-border e-commerce.

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