On October 24, a significant event under the 24th Conference on Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurship Development, referred to as the “Hua Lake Appointment,” unfolded in Ezhou, Hubei Province. This initiative aims to establish a high ground for the air economy.

Ezhou is home to Asia’s first specialized cargo airport, the Ezhou Huahu International Airport. During the event, overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and leaders visited the Ezhou Airport Economic Zone investment promotion center and the Gedian Economic Development Zone investment promotion center. They had the opportunity to explore the city’s culture and witness the dynamic growth of the air economy in the region.

“We’ve been following the growth of the Ezhou Huahu International Airport since it was just a blueprint,” said Ge Zongtao, president of the Japanese Association of Overseas Chinese and Chinese. He emphasized the airport’s significance, stating, “The Ezhou Huahu International Airport resonates with overseas Chinese. Moving forward, I will guide more innovative talent to gather in Ezhou and facilitate the introduction of Japanese logistics companies to the area, fostering recruitment and investment in technology, education, and cultural collaboration.”

Meanwhile, Wei Dapeng, vice president of the Russian Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs, highlighted the global focus on low-altitude economy, suggesting that Ezhou Huahu International Airport leverage its unique location to establish a low-altitude economic park, which could inject new momentum into the air economy.

Since the Ezhou Huahu International Airport began operations over two years ago, it has welcomed 29 airlines serving 20 countries, with 79 cargo routes established, forming a network that connects five continents and serves global cargo traffic. In the first three quarters of this year, Ezhou capitalized on its airport logistics advantages, achieving an impressive import and export value exceeding 6 billion RMB, marking a 42.4% increase, the highest growth rate in Hubei Province. The airport has already surpassed a total cargo and mail throughput of 1 million tons.

A growing number of industries that favor air transport are clustering around the Ezhou Huahu International Airport. Major Chinese logistics and postal firms, as well as Eastern Airlines Logistics, have established a presence there. Several Fortune 500 companies have set up their regional centers in Ezhou, with 20 air-related manufacturing projects and numerous leading supply chain enterprises currently under construction.

Since the airport’s completion and launch in July 2022, over a hundred projects from the Conference on Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurship have taken root in Ezhou. This year, Ezhou has outlined a development plan emphasizing “accessible air routes and effective overseas Chinese engagement,” aiming to transform the airport into a vital hub that connects overseas Chinese from around the world.