Hong Kong Firms Pivot Supply Chains Amid Trade Shifts; JD.com Doubles Down in Korea
Latest Dynamics of Logistics & Supply Chains in China's eCom
Here’s our pick for last week’s news:
Hong Kong Firms Pivot Supply Chains Amid Trade Shifts
AliExpress Expands LOCAL+ Push Across Europe
YTO Global Upgrades Delivery in Korea
JD.com Doubles Down in Korea
SF Airlines and Etihad Airways Forge Global Cargo Pact
Etihad Cargo Links with Ezhou for Trade Surge
Air China Cargo Touches Down in Scotland
France's Biggest Port Taps China for Tech and Trade Growth
Ningbo Opens Air Freight Express to Vietnam
Hefei Airlift Opens New Gateway to Central Asia
Hong Kong Firms Pivot Supply Chains Amid Trade Shifts
Hong Kong businesses are rethinking their global playbook. According to HSBC's 2025 Global Trade Pulse, 72% of 5700+ surveyed firms are shifting or planning to shift supply chains closer to key customers—Mainland China (53%) tops the list, trailed by South Asia (39%) and Europe (29%). Despite global headwinds, 74% remain upbeat about trade prospects over the next two years, with half doubling down on mainland ties. Companies are also adapting to rising costs and geopolitical shifts, with 76% tweaking pricing strategies and many targeting more resilient, less politically fraught markets. (CAIJING)
AliExpress Expands LOCAL+ Push Across Europe
To ramp up local merchant recruitment, AliExpress has partnered with 11 leading overseas warehouse providers as "certified warehouses," spanning the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Spain, and Poland. Products stored in these facilities will carry the LOCAL+ label—an exclusive fast-track channel created for key markets. Following strong growth in Germany, AliExpress has officially opened its German site to local businesses. Sources say the platform also plans to boost investment across other European markets. (Webull)
YTO Global Upgrades Delivery in Korea
YTO Global has upgraded its South Korea operations, with four Incheon-based warehouses now handling 10,000+ daily orders and enabling next-day delivery across main parts of the nation. The end-to-end setup empowers Chinese sellers to match local Korean merchants on speed and service. Meanwhile, YTO and KazPost will build a 40,000-square-meter logistics hub in Almaty to boost trade from China to Europe and Central Asia, per a May 14 statement from Akorda. (ebrun & The Astana Times)
JD.com Doubles Down in Korea
JD.com is accelerating its South Korea push, hiring for senior logistics and tech roles at its Seoul HQ in a move that signals a shift from market testing to full-scale expansion. The company already runs two self-operated logistics centers in Icheon and Incheon and plans to turn its Korean network into a key hub for two-way trade with China. Backed by a fleet of nine cargo planes and a dedicated Wuxi–Incheon air route, JD is laying the groundwork to compete head-on in one of Asia's most dynamic e-commerce markets. (JD)
SF Airlines and Etihad Airways Forge Global Cargo Pact
SF Airlines and Etihad Airways have inked a joint business agreement aimed at boosting cargo capacity, streamlining operations, and expanding reach across key global trade lanes. Signed at the Air Cargo Europe show in Munich, the deal will see the carriers jointly market airfreight services, align pricing, and coordinate route planning, with a focus on high-value and temperature-sensitive goods like electronics and pharmaceuticals. The partnership marks a strategic play for both airlines to deepen global connectivity, tap new markets, and sharpen their competitive edge in the fast-evolving logistics sector. (Air Cargo News)
Etihad Cargo Links with Ezhou for Trade Surge
Etihad Cargo has signed a strategic deal with China's Ezhou Huahu Airport to boost air trade between China and the Middle East, focusing on new routes, more frequent flights, and integrated logistics for e-commerce, cold chain, and high-value manufacturing. The partnership links Ezhou's central hub with Etihad's global network, creating a streamlined corridor for two-way trade. It comes amid rising air cargo demand driven by cross-border e-commerce and sectors like tech, pharma, and aerospace. Etihad plans to raise its China flights from 11 to 18 in 2025, underscoring China's growing role in global freight flows. (Global Times)
Air China Cargo Touches Down in Scotland
Air China Cargo touched down at Glasgow Prestwick Airport on June 2 with its first scheduled freighter from Guangzhou, marking the launch of a tri-weekly service that signals Prestwick's growing role as a UK-China cargo hub. The Chinese flag carrier will also base a commercial and operations team at the Scottish airport, which now handles seven China flights weekly following last month's debut of China Southern Air Logistics' service. Airport officials hailed the move as a major boost for Scottish exporters and a vote of confidence in Prestwick's cargo infrastructure, with plans already in place to expand service frequency and deepen trade ties with Greater China.(Air Cargo News)
France's Biggest Port Taps China for Tech and Trade Growth
France's largest container port Haropa Port has partnered with China's Ningbo-Zhoushan Port to boost smart port tech, green logistics, and digital integration, as European ports adapt to shifting global trade. Signed during a French trade mission to China, the deal targets faster e-commerce flows, reduced emissions via shore power, and a shift from air to sea freight. With China already accounting for one-third of Haropa's traffic—570,000 of 650,000 TEUs last year—the move strengthens Haropa's role as a green, digital hub in Europe's logistics chain. The Le Havre-based port also aims to attract more Asian investment and cargo volume in a tighter global shipping landscape. (Yicai Global)
Ningbo Opens Air Freight Express to Vietnam
Ningbo Airport has launched a new all-cargo air route to Ho Chi Minh City, operated by Air Central, with three weekly flights aimed at accelerating trade between China and Vietnam. The route will export Zhejiang-made goods—like textiles, toys, and electronics—while inbound flights bring in fresh produce and high-demand electronics, enabling same-day delivery of Vietnamese farm products. Air cargo operator Kesing says the new link slashes delivery times by over 50% and lowers supply chain costs, offering a faster, leaner alternative to traditional sea freight for cross-border commerce. (China News)
Hefei Airlift Opens New Gateway to Central Asia
Hefei launched its first direct cargo route to Tashkent on May 31, operated by Uzbekistan's Central Asia Airlines with thrice-weekly B767 freighters. The service moves high-value goods—including electronics, machinery, solar panels, and auto parts—from Anhui to Central Asia, improving access to Russian and European markets. Tashkent's role as a regional logistics hub enhances supply chain efficiency, while Hefei's customs authorities have introduced fast-track clearance for crews to ensure smooth operations and zero delays. (BY56.com)