[Special Report] As the global logistics supply chain undergoes reshaping, how can logistics companies find the “optimal solution” amid these profound changes?

Against the backdrop of profound structural shifts in the global economy, logistics and supply chain systems across industries worldwide are undergoing a phase of reshaping and adjustment, with China’s supply chains facing both opportunities and challenges. In this context, there is an urgent need to strengthen global logistics cooperation, work together to accelerate innovation in the global logistics system, and provide a secure, stable, and efficient framework for collaborative logistics that supports the swift recovery from the pandemic and the sustained advancement of globalization.

A new window of developmental opportunity has arrived.

In recent years, global supply chains have been confronted with unprecedented challenges. The once-in-a-century transformation is creating favorable opportunities for reshaping the global supply-chain logistics system, while also introducing new sources of instability and uncertainty.

First, the center of gravity of global economic growth and trade is shifting at an accelerating pace from developed countries to developing economies, particularly those represented by the BRICS nations. The reshaping of global industrial and supply chains is emerging as a new focal point of competition among nations worldwide.

Second, the acceleration of global infrastructure connectivity is gaining momentum. , especially as proposed by China Following the Belt and Road Initiative, numerous international organizations and countries have responded enthusiastically, channeling increased investment into transportation, logistics, and hub development. As a result, the global network of logistics corridors and hubs has entered a new phase of rapid expansion.

Third, the latest round of technological revolution continues to unfold, accelerating the realignment of global industrial and supply chain divisions and giving rise to a new configuration. In recent years, technologies such as the Internet, big data, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain have accelerated innovation and become increasingly integrated into every stage of economic and social development. The digital economy is expanding at an unprecedented pace, with an ever‑broader reach and profound impacts, emerging as a key driver for reorganizing global factors of production, reshaping the global economic structure, and transforming global industrial and supply chain systems.  

In addition, in recent years, under the combined influence of the pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and other factors, the global political and economic landscape has become highly uncertain, while the resilience and security of global industrial and supply chains have grown increasingly fragile—particularly the foundations that support… The maritime logistics system, which handles 80% of global trade, has been hit by a series of disruptions—supply chain breakdowns, congestion, severe container shortages, and soaring prices—while also creating new opportunities for the accelerated restructuring and reshaping of the global logistics network.

To this end, China has taken numerous measures to inject stability into a globally uncertain environment. For instance, the China–Europe Railway Express has posted counter‑trend growth, leveraging its unique advantages—faster than sea freight, greater capacity than air freight, and continuous, stable, large‑scale operations—to establish… The networked spatial layout of “multi‑directional extension and sea‑land interconnectivity” provides robust support for the stable operation of the international logistics industry chain and supply chain.

Seeking in times of change “Optimal solution”

The global environment for the development of industrial and supply chains has undergone profound changes, with the reshaping and adjustment of the global logistics system accelerating, and new drivers and trends of development taking shape.

First, as the global integrated transport system accelerates its development, a new, more interconnected framework is also taking shape. At present, countries worldwide attach great importance to the interconnectivity of transport infrastructure, striving to build a three-dimensional, networked, integrated transportation system that provides the infrastructural foundation for the realignment and innovation of global industrial and supply chains.  

In the course of innovating and upgrading the global logistics supply chain system, China is also accelerating the innovation and restructuring of its own logistics infrastructure. In recent years, China has placed great emphasis on transportation infrastructure and key logistics facilities, continuously enhancing its integrated transport network—particularly through initiatives in urban multimodal transport and the development of major hubs—thereby further expediting adjustments to its supply chain framework. These efforts are providing diversified, multi‑tiered logistics solutions to bolster the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Second, the world is accelerating the realignment of its entire logistics cluster and hub network to build a robust hub system. +Channel+New Landscape of Network Competition. To better promote the integrated development of regional port clusters centered on international shipping hubs, China has in recent years been accelerating the strategic realignment of global logistics hubs and logistics clusters, fostering a high-quality port‑cluster development model characterized by rational division of labor, efficient coordination, and mutually beneficial cooperation. In the realm of global shipping, efforts continue to be made to advance… Promote high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, accelerate the establishment of a new, integrated system for world-class port clusters, and further enhance the global competitiveness of international shipping hub ports.

Third, the accelerated development of digitalization has provided new tools, new approaches, and new pathways for the restructuring of global logistics supply chain systems. At present, digitalization is widely applied across the logistics sector worldwide, with digitization, platformization, and intelligence emerging as the primary trends driving innovation in logistics technology.

China has not only established numerous logistics platforms led by logistics enterprises and internet‑platform companies, but has also accelerated the digital transformation of port management, logistics operations, shipping trading, financial services, and other sectors. By facilitating cross‑border flows of logistics data and building international hubs for logistics information exchange, China has leveraged big‑data applications to pioneer entirely new logistics development models, explored innovative pathways for advancing global logistics supply chains in the digital economy era, and contributed Chinese experience to the innovation of the global logistics system.  

Fourth, green transformation has become a new focal point for global innovation and competition. As global sustainable development continues to advance, countries have adopted a variety of measures to accelerate the green transformation of their logistics and supply chain systems. Guided by the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and within the framework of fostering a new development paradigm, these efforts aim to safeguard the security and stability of global supply chains while promoting green development and… The “dual carbon” goals also constitute a major issue in China’s economic and social development.

Compared with other countries, China faces numerous challenges on the path to carbon neutrality. To address these, China will accelerate efforts to reduce carbon emissions, peak carbon emissions, and achieve carbon neutrality in the transportation and logistics sectors. It will develop a carbon‑neutrality roadmap tailored to China’s resource endowments and national conditions, employing measures such as fuel substitution, the deployment of energy‑saving and emission‑reduction technologies, and cluster‑based initiatives. By leveraging Chinese ingenuity and solutions in logistics and supply chains, China aims to drive a green transformation of its logistics and supply‑chain system.

Fifth, strengthen open cooperation in the global logistics sector and enhance the modernization of global governance. From the current global perspective, the levels of development and degrees of openness vary significantly across countries in maritime shipping, air transport, express delivery, and rail freight, with substantial disparities remaining in trade‑in‑services restrictions. Notably, amid rising protectionism and anti‑globalization trends, some developed economies have seen their openness decline rather than increase. Therefore, as we navigate the ongoing restructuring of global logistics and supply chains, it is increasingly essential to adopt multilateral and bilateral cooperation to further facilitate trade and transportation worldwide. At the same time, we must actively strengthen collaboration with international industry associations and organizations, accelerate the refinement of international standards and rules in the transport and logistics sectors, and lay a robust governance framework to spur innovation and advance the sustainable development of global logistics and supply chains. (The author is the Director of the Institute for Market Economy at the Development Research Center of the State Council.)