Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, the logistics arm of Alibaba Group, says it has entered a strategic partnership with the government of the Chinese city of Hainan to support the development of the Hainan global smart supply chain pilot zone.
Hainan, China’s largest Special Economic Zone, is a key port along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In June last year, the Chinese authorities released a masterplan for the construction of the Hainan free trade port, which will transform the entire island province into a free trade port.
As part of the partnership, Cainiao will leverage its global logistics capabilities and technology to establish Hainan as a trade center and pilot model for the digital economy. The company says it will work closely with Hainan to provide holistic smart logistics services to merchants from around the world.
The public-private partnership includes four key areas:
- Establishment of a comprehensive smart logistics infrastructure on Hainan’s main and outlying islands to attract duty-free merchants
- Launch of Hainan free trade port merchant smart service center
- Upgrading of Hainan’s global freight network
- Development of Hainan’s global supply chain center