trade news

1. Global air cargo rates are standing firm during a traditionally quieter market period, bolstered by continuing strong demand and high spot rates from Asian and Middle Eastern origins, WorldACD Market Data show. 2. Both tonnages and rates are well above last year's levels, thanks to significantly higher demand from all the main worldwide origin regions.

1. From January to May, China's waterways transported approximately 3.9 billion tonnes of cargo, a 7 per cent increase year-on-year. 2. Container throughput at ports surpassed 130 million TEUs, an 8.8 per cent rise. 3. Fixed-asset investment in waterway transport reached 78.6 billion yuan, up 7.2 per cent. 4. In 2023, waterway freight volume hit 9.4 billion tonnes.

​Cross-border cargo transported via the China-Laos Railway totalled 1.8 million tons and was valued at 12 billion yuan (around $1.7 billion) in November 2022.

Starting from December 1, 2022, China will extend zero-tariff treatment to 10 least-developed countries. The country has taken this step, as a win-win outcome, in its endeavour to promote an open global economy while also helping the least-developed nations to accelerate their growth, as per the customs tariff commission of the state council.