China's Logistics

Exploring an underreported subject with global ramifications, this book sheds much-needed light on the rapid development of China's logistics industry over the past several decades and puts it into historical context. Though still lagging behind global logistics leaders overall, China has invested heavily in logistics infrastructure and technology to become a vital link in global supply chains, and is forging ahead in e-commerce logistics. This timely book analyzes the key policies, infrastructure projects, technologies, and companies that have transformed China's domestic logistics capabilities and enabled it to become deeply intertwined with the worldwide supply chain. As the world enters a new era of geopolitics and confronts the possibility of US-China decoupling, it is more critical than ever to understand China's logistics system to navigate uncertain times-and with their decades of experience, these authors are the very best guides. Business leaders, policy makers, and logistics and supply chain professionals will benefit from this comprehensive and readable book's insights into how and why China's logistics system developed as it has, what that means for businesses and nations connected to China, and where we go from here.

Dr. Paul G. Clifford is a Senior Fellow, Harvard Kennedy School and the author of The China Paradox: At the Front Line of Economic Transformation. He worked in China in banking, consulting, and technology. He advised Chinese logistics clients and was Executive Director, China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing. He was educated at SOAS University of London and Peking University. Christopher Logan is the President of LOGISTEED International and Chief International Business Officer of LOGISTEED Ltd. Previously with Accenture, Livingston, Agility, and Oliver Wyman in Beijing where he advised logistics clients. Educated at Ivey Business School, Western University, with further executive training at Harvard, Yale, and the Lee Kuan Yew School.

Introduction: framing the issues. Section 1: The context: from geography to politics. Chapter 1. Unpacking logistics: trade's backbone explained. Chapter 2. How history and politics shape china's logistics. Chapter 3. Geography and transportation as the foundation. Chapter 4. The hand of government guides China's logistics. Section 2: Challenges and goals; from backward to world class. Chapter 5. Strategic issues and opportunities: From backward to world class. Chapter 6. Specialized niche markets and capabilities. Chapter 7. The digital revolution and technology advances are transformative. Chapter 8. Striving for green sustainability. Chapter 9. Logistics as a lifeline: Covid-19 and other natural disasters. Chapter 10. The global footprint: the Belt and Road, ports, and air-cargo. Chapter 11. China's logistics intertwined with the rest of the world. Chapter 12. Taiwan: The logistics gray rhino. Section 3: The key payers: pofiles and cse sudies. Chapter 13. China's own logistics titans and trailblazers. Chapter 14. How global logistics firms have navigated the China market. Section 4: Conclusions. Chapter 15. Conclusions: senarios and strategic implications.