??? THE added value of Qingdao’s logistics industry reached nearly 57 billion yuan last year, increasing by 10.9 percent from 2010. The total logistics volume was worth about 2,537 billion yuan, increasing by 16.6 percent from 2010. Meanwhile, the industry expanded to more countries and regions. The first direct freight flight from Qingdao to Los Angeles recently opened, becoming the city’s first intercontinental direct flight. Industry embraces ‘blue opportunity’ Qingdao’s logistics industry is grabbing the chance to capitalize on the fast development of Shandong Peninsula Blue Economic Zone. At present, several large logistics projects are under way in the Dongjiakou Harbor Area and infrastructure construction for the Jiaozhou Bay international logistics park has been completed. The Qingdao container center is under stable operation. Its transaction volume reaches 3,000 standard containers per month. The center has applied to open direct trains to Ala Mountain Pass and volume is expected to increase by at least 60 percent. The first and second phases of the Chengyang integration logistics area are finished and some companies already have moved in. Construction on the third phase is smoothly under way. There are now 110 companies and individual business operators at the Laoshan logistics park. Its annual sales revenue is expected to reach more than 16 million yuan. Logistics coverage expanding The city’s logistics industry is expanding its service coverage. In 2011, a shipping channel between China and South Korea was opened and, so far, has enabled shipment of 199.4 tons of cargo from Qingdao to Inchon Harbor. Meanwhile, the city plans to open lines to more cities in China and other parts of the world. (Wang Yuanyuan, Li Xiaohan)  | 