The National Development and Reform Commission has released the list of the latest batch of national backbone cold-chain logistics bases.

To thoroughly implement and carry out the... In line with the relevant deployments of the “14th Five-Year Plan for Cold-Chain Logistics Development” and the “Action Plan for Effectively Reducing Logistics Costs Across Society,” the National Development and Reform Commission recently officially released the list of the new batch of national backbone cold-chain logistics bases. A total of 19 cities, including Guangzhou, Hangzhou, and Yantian, have successfully been selected. These bases will play a significant demonstration role in perfecting the cold-chain network layout, serving residents’ consumption, promoting green and smart transformation, and connecting to the international logistics system.

1. Improve and expand the cold-chain logistics network to achieve nationwide coverage.

Newly added this time After the addition of 19 new bases, the total number of national backbone cold-chain logistics bases has reached 105, covering all 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) across the country. This further optimizes the regional spatial layout, strongly supports the construction of the national cold-chain logistics backbone network featuring “four horizontal and four vertical” corridors, and promotes the industry’s development toward greater scale, intensification, organization, and networking.

For example, the Qujing cold-chain logistics base is focusing on building a hub that serves the Central Yunnan urban agglomeration as well as the entire country, with radiating influence extending to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The “Southern Produce to Northern Markets” organization center, the Southwest Cold-Chain Logistics Distribution Center, and the Agricultural Products Strategic Security Center—among others—have been established. The Dehong (Ruili) Cold-Chain Logistics Base, meanwhile, is focused on building an international cold-chain logistics distribution hub, addressing the shortcomings in cold-chain infrastructure along border regions and meeting the demands of cross-border cold-chain logistics. In 2024, the two regions completed primary processing of agricultural products totaling 2.618 million tons and handled imports and exports of fresh produce exceeding 380,000 tons.

II. Upgrading service consumption and boosting urban-rural integration

Each base is actively leveraging its role as a key node to promote two-way integration of urban and rural cold-chain networks, smooth channels for the outbound flow of specialty agricultural products, enhance the efficiency of bringing high-quality fresh consumer goods into cities, and comprehensively support the growth of urban and rural consumption.

Take the Guangzhou base as an example: by networking with other key bases, it integrates cold-chain resources within the Guangzhou metropolitan area and surrounding regions, strengthens coordination between trunk-line and branch-line transportation, and enhances information interconnectivity, thereby building an integrated cold-chain logistics system. In 2024, the base completed the construction of cold storage and fresh-keeping facilities totaling 2.06 million cubic meters. The turnover of goods—including meat, aquatic products, fruits and vegetables, pre-prepared dishes, and pharmaceuticals—exceeded 3.3 million tons, effectively meeting the consumption demands of the city and surrounding areas.

III. Promote digital and green transformation and lead innovative development.

The bases selected this time are extensively promoting the intelligent upgrading of existing facilities, widely adopting advanced technologies such as automated stereoscopic shelving, smart sorting systems, logistics robots, and temperature-monitoring equipment. They are also actively promoting green refrigerated trucks and environmentally friendly refrigeration equipment, comprehensively enhancing the digitalization and greening levels of cold-chain logistics and fostering new forms of productive forces in the industry.

Hangzhou Cold-Chain Logistics Base relies on The construction of a “Smart Trading Market” involves developing digital platforms such as intelligent warehousing and digital freight hubs, thereby enhancing the smartness of infrastructure. Meanwhile, the base has installed a 29,000-square-meter rooftop photovoltaic system and built integrated “PV-storage-charging” stations that combine energy storage and charging facilities. We encourage the adoption of new energy vehicles for newly added trucks, thus promoting green and low-carbon development.

4. Connect domestic and international cold-chain networks to support the dual-circulation framework.

Leveraging their geographical advantages and industrial foundations, some bases are building cold-chain logistics systems that connect domestic production and sales with international trade, thereby establishing dual-loop channels for cold-chain logistics both domestically and internationally.

Take the Yantian Cold Chain Logistics Base as an example: leveraging its advantageous port and transportation infrastructure, the base actively encourages enterprises to engage deeply in the production and trade organization of global cold-chain products. It strengthens coordination between domestic and international cold-chain networks and procurement-distribution systems, thereby establishing efficient and seamlessly connected international logistics channels. This approach meets the integrated domestic and international cold-chain demands for high-value-added products such as seafood, meat, dairy products, and red wine, ultimately positioning the base as an international cold-chain logistics hub.

As of now, the National Development and Reform Commission has released five batches of lists of national backbone cold-chain logistics bases, with a total of [number] bases confirmed. 105 projects have been completed ahead of schedule, achieving the goal set forth in the “14th Five-Year Plan” for Cold-Chain Logistics Development—to build approximately 100 backbone bases by 2025.

Next, the National Development and Reform Commission will, building on the existing foundation, guide localities in promoting base construction with high quality and fully leveraging... The “point-to-area” effect will continue to enhance the scale benefits, organizational capabilities, and operational efficiency of China’s cold-chain logistics system, promote coordinated development across the cold-chain industry chain and value chain, and better serve the upgrading of consumption among urban and rural residents as well as high-quality economic and social development.