On Oct 16, the Fifth China International Logistics Development Conference held a press conference in Beijing, announcing that this year's event would be held in Changsha from Nov 16 to 17. [Photo/rednet.cn]

The fifth China International Logistics Development Conference will be held from Nov 16 to 17 in Changsha, Hunan province, marking the first time that the conference will take place in Central China.

With more than 1,000 invitees from over 70 countries and regions, attendees will be comprised of logistics industry leaders, logistics experts, enterprise executives and representatives of the domestic logistics industry. One of the key areas that the conference hopes to explore is the challenges and difficulties faced by the industry and how they can be overcome.

In addition, the conference will carry out a series of activities to expand exchange and promote cooperation. The Forum on Cities along China-Europe Trains Lines, the Second Women In Logistics and Transport (WiLAT) Forum, the Logistics Enterprise Innovation and Development Forum and the award ceremony for the National Advanced Logistics Enterprise will all occur during the course of the conference.

The logistics industry in Changsha has undergone a steady but rapid development. In 2017, the total value of Changsha's social logistics industry was 3.8 trillion yuan ($549 billion), a year-on-year increase of 11 percent. Social logistics-related income reached 78 billion yuan, up 10 percent on a year earlier. The city currently has more than 1,000 logistics enterprises.

The conference will further enhance the international reputation of Chinese logistics, the city's influence and the economic expansion of Changsha. By promoting the construction of the industry in Changsha, advocates are aiming to integrate the city into the global trade and logistics cooperation network.

The China International Logistics Development Conference was approved by the National Development and Reform Commission. Sponsored by the China Communication and Transportation Association and the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT), it has been held four times since 2014 and made a great contribution in promoting the exchange and cooperation of logistics at home and abroad, accelerating the upgrading of the technical level of the logistics industry.