The Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone, the national-level facility approved by the State Council, is leveraging its geographic advantages to drive industrial growth in Central China, according to its top official.
Tian Haitao, deputy to the National People's Congress and director of the zone's administrative committee, said the hub is key to Henan province's push to integrate into the domestic and international dual circulation development pattern.
"We are transforming transportation hub advantages into industrial competitiveness to fuel the rise of Central China," Tian said.
Located in Henan province, the zone is supported by a multi-modal transport network integrating air, rail, road, and waterway logistics. The connectivity is helping transform the region from a "passage economy" into a robust industrial hub, Tian said.
Data shows that the zone's gross domestic product grew at an average annual rate of 10.4 percent during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021–25) to surpass 150 billion yuan ($20.7 billion) in the final year.
Key industries have seen notable expansion. In the electronic information sector, a comprehensive ecosystem covering chips, displays, networks, terminals, and components has emerged, anchored by industry leaders such as Foxconn and Supermicro.
In new energy vehicles, the BYD Zhengzhou base has produced nearly 1,000,000 vehicles, accounting for 70 percent of Henan's total NEV output. A 31.4-square-kilometer "Automotive City" is under development around the facility.
The biomedicine sector is also gaining momentum, Tian added. "Construction of the Central Plains Medical Sciences City is underway, with the Henan Academy of Innovations in Medical Science and other platforms now operational. More than 100 biomedical projects have been signed to date," Tian said.
The zone is currently home to 210 high-tech enterprises, 346 tech-focused small and medium-sized firms, and 74 "little giant" companies that lead in specialized sectors.
Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026–30), Tian outlined an industrial strategy focused on three high-growth industries, comprising AI, NEVs, and smart equipment; three high-potential sectors, comprising biomedicine, robotics, and aerospace; and one foundational industry, which is modern commerce and logistics.
"We will pursue deeper integration along industrial chains and foster new quality productive forces," Tian said.
He projected the zone's economic output would exceed 300 billion yuan by 2030.
Tian also called for policy support, including expanded air traffic rights and a pilot program.
In addition, he proposed establishing a bulk commodity resource allocation hub in collaboration with the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange, as well as designating a new section within the China (Henan) Pilot Free Trade Zone to pilot the liberalization of cross-border data flows and transportation.
Aiming to tightly integrate policy innovation with industrial demand, Tian also proposed applying to establish a bulk commodity resource allocation hub by leveraging the Zhengzhou Commodity Exchange to develop spot trading and bonded processing that links with the futures market, creating a Belt and Road international bulk commodity distribution center.
Additionally, he recommended creating a new airport area within the pilot free trade zone to develop cross-border data flows and transportation liberalization, thereby providing institutional safeguards for emerging industries.