Cold chain logistics report shows healthy cross-Straits cooperation

A report on cross-Straits cold chain logistics cooperation was released on Sunday at a sub-forum of the ongoing China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Xiamen, Fujian province, summarizing what organizers said has been a successful experience in industrial collaboration between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan and boosting nongovernmental exchanges in the sector.

The Report of Cooperation in Cold Chain Logistics Industry Between Mainland and Taiwan was compiled by China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing and Planning Institute, or CFLPLA. "The report has laid a theoretical and practical foundation for future cross-Straits cooperation in cold chain logistics and aims to encourage the two sides to exchange experience and technologies in the cooperation, as well as to complement management, share the markets and jointly build standards and brands in the sector," said Li Jinying, head of CFLPLA.

Cold chain logistics refers to the temperature-controlled process of shipping, storage and distribution of refrigerated goods. The report also included an industrial index system for the first time. "As an important statistical indicator and analytical basis, an index system can objectively reflect the current situation of the cross-Straits cooperation in cold chain logistics, and its establishment will make the cooperation become more mature and standardized," Li said.

The index system was built based on four aspects - the partner city's industrial foundation, economic environment, macro-control policies of its government and development potential for the industry.

It will be useful for the local government to find weak links in cold chain logistics cooperation and to develop targeted policies and regulations that address those links, Li said.

Companies could also use the index to learn more about the industry's development quality in different regions and to choose their most suitable investment areas.

The index value ranges from zero to one. The larger the number is, the higher cooperation level that can be reached in cold chain logistics between the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.

In 2017, the index was 0.58, showing a good overall situation of cross-Straits cooperation in the sector, Li said.

The Ministry of Commerce and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council launched the cross-Straits cold chain logistics cooperation in 2010, and approved five cities - Beijing, Tianjin, Xiamen, Wuhan and Kunshan - to be pilot cities for the cooperative program in 2011 and 2014.

In August of the current year, seven cities, including Ningbo, Quanzhou, Dongguan and Chengdong, were selected as new pilot cities, as well as the Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area.