(CFP Photo)

Wu Yonghong, deputy to the National People's Congress, also director of the Jiangsu Provincial Department of Transport, called for building of international cargo hub based in Jiangsu to support the development of the Yangtze River Delta.

The delta is one of the regions with the most robust economic growth, the highest degree of openness, and the strongest innovation capability in China, and plays a pivotal role in the national economy. The region consists of Shanghai and the neighboring provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui.

According to his research, Shanghai Pudong International Airport is currently the only air cargo hub in the delta region and has almost reached its capacity in recent years.

Jiangsu is located in the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, and its services can reach out to the entire delta region. The demand for air cargo transport is strong in the province itself and the imports and exports volume by air is about 1.6 trillion yuan, accounting for 32% of the province's total foreign trade. Furthermore, the air transport capacity has room to be improved at Nanjing Lukou International Airport, Sunan Shuofang International Airport, and Nantong Airport, all located in Jiangsu Province.

"Germany has Leipzig/Halle Airport and Frankfurt Airport as air cargo centers, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Liege, Belgium are both cargo hubs. A dual hub layout can ensure the smooth development of logistics in the Yangtze River Delta," Wu said.

To promote the plan, he proposed more support to Jiangsu in terms of planning, policy, and institutional innovation. In addition, foreign air carriers can be guided to open international cargo routes linking Jiangsu, and the documents required for custom clearance can go digital and paperless in order to enhance efficiency.