The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link (ShenZhong Link) opened to traffic on June 30, which not only narrows the distance between the two places but also brings unprecedented development opportunities to many enterprises.
Xi Haifeng, vice general manager of CASIO Electronic Technology (Zhongshan), told GDToday that the mega project would facilitate their supply chains and provide easier access to the global market, thereby enhancing their competitiveness.
Moreover, Xi Haifeng believed the mega infrastructure was a significant move to improve the GBA's business environment, enabling the exploration of more business possibilities globally.
Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link brings lower cost and provide easier access to the global market
After the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, the drive between Shenzhen and Zhongshan will be shortened from about two hours to less than 20 minutes. It will connect with the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Nansha Bridge, and Humen Bridge to create a network of cross-sea and cross-river passages in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). This network will create more cooperation opportunities and further promote the prosperity and development of the regional economy.
"After the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, we don't have to take a roundabout route from Zhongshan to Shenzhen. It used to take at least 4 to 5 hours, and soon it will only be a one-hour trip," said Xi Haifeng. "We can send goods directly out of the Zhongshan Bonded Area instead of storing them in Shenzhen in advance. This helps us lower our supply chain costs and is very convenient for the suppliers."
Xi Haifeng mentioned that the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link would undoubtedly provide enterprises with easier business access, as convenient logistics enable enterprises to arrange production and transportation more flexibly, further reducing costs and improving efficiency. Moreover, it would also provide strong support for enterprises to further expand into the global market.
Supply chain, business and people flow are invigorated by connectivity
The vice general manager also highlighted the significant changes that the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link brings to business. He explained that since Casio's production bases were scattered across several cities in the GBA, including Zhongshan, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link connecting the whole region could greatly facilitate their business flow. "The entire Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is connected. It's a big boost not only to our supply chain but to our whole business," he said.
When talking about the positive influence of the Link on the supply chain, Xi Haifeng shared a case in point. "With the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link, suppliers in Dongguan and Shenzhen do not have to send the raw materials earlier," he said. "In such a situation, the production cycle of our product will be shortened. In this regard, the overall cost will go down."
In addition, the flow of people within the GBA is also greatly simplified. Xi Haifeng mentioned that there is a significant flow of people between the eastern and western banks of the Pearl River Estuary, while the opening of the Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link makes traffic between the two places more convenient, which opens up more possibilities for them to expand their business.
"Since the various parts of the GBA became more closely connected, the supply chain, business and people flow are basically invigorated," he commented.
The Shenzhen-Zhongshan Link is not only a physical link but also a gas pedal for the economic development of the GBA. In Xi Haifeng's view, enterprises will make full use of this opportunity to further strengthen their ties with the international market and continuously enhance their competitiveness and influence. At the same time, he anticipates more similar transportation projects in the future to create a more favorable environment for enterprise development.