Zhao Zhijin- Deputy Producer and Anchor at CGTN‑French
The moment I set foot on the Qianwan terminal of Qingdao Port, I was struck by the bustle and vitality of this major international transit hub. Every day, container trucks move continuously and giant ships line up one after another. It is the officers of the Immigration Administration at the Huangdao Border Station who safeguard this activity and order. Guided by Guo Jiaoxiao, deputy captain of the second service team, I spent a day experiencing how technology is reshaping border management and witnessed China’s recent transformations in international exchanges and customs clearance of goods.
Our first interview stop took us aboard the new 40-meter-class patrol vessel 37401. This sea patrol allowed me to feel firsthand the evolution that technology has brought to maritime law enforcement. Guo Jiaoxiao introduced the vessel’s significant upgrades: “The newly added anti-roll gyroscope control screen makes navigation more stable, and the Beidou navigation system is much more precise than traditional GPS.” The optoelectronic evidence collection equipment installed on the vessel can capture precise images of targets within a five-nautical-mile radius, facilitating rapid evidence collection in case of violations. Contrary to what one might think, maritime law enforcement is no longer a “solitary battle.” Guo explained that through information sharing and coordinated response from the Water Supervision Center, an invisible safety net covers the entire port area, providing reliable guarantees for international shipping.
Our second stop was the “Joint Control Center for International Crew Change.” Here, I witnessed both the “Chinese speed” and the “Chinese warmth” of customs services. On the day of our interview, the cold wind was biting, but inside the warm hall of the control center there was a sense of sympathy and efficiency. In the past, foreign sailors had to move between multiple customs and border counters to complete crew changes, a long and tedious process. Today, within this “joint control center,” officers from different departments work together at the same inspection desk, truly achieving “one-stop comprehensive control” for people and their luggage. This facilitation service reflects China’s determination and commitment to optimizing the business environment, strengthening international trade, and promoting people-to-people exchanges.
In fact, efficiency improvements in customs clearance are not limited to the joint control center: the entire terminal benefits from the deep application of big data. Through big data analysis, border authorities have implemented “tailored clearance plans” for “regular ships” that are law-abiding and trustworthy, allowing them to “begin operations immediately upon docking.” “Each vessel saves on average more than an hour of berthing time, and for ocean shipping, time is money,” said Qiao Zhen, instructor of the second service team at Huangdao Border Station. He added that this means goods reach their destinations faster, supply chain efficiency is greatly improved, and Qingdao Port gains a major competitive edge over ports worldwide.
What impressed me most was the three-dimensional “land-sea-air” patrol system established at Qingdao Port. Through collaboration between drones, underwater robots, and sea patrol vessels, the patrol covers all areas without blind spots. Operating a drone, Guo explained: “Drones can easily reach places inaccessible to security forces, such as the outer hull of ships and blind zones.” This not only expands the scope of supervision but also reduces pressure on service officers, achieving a “win-win” between “security” and “efficiency.” She also proudly introduced the “intelligent electronic port control device,” independently developed by the Huangdao Border Station, affectionately called “the guardian of the boarding ladder.” Installed at the entrance to the ship’s gangway, this equipment can check and monitor in real time the identity and information of boarding individuals, greatly improving the efficiency and accuracy of supervision.
This pursuit of efficiency and precision also stems from changes in trade volume and the growing importance of Qingdao Port in recent years. Today, Qingdao Port has become a crucial link between China and the world, with more than 220 container lines serving directly over 700 ports in more than 180 countries and regions, consolidating its position as the leading port in northern China. Notably, the Qianwan terminal of Qingdao Port has also opened several premium lines dedicated to countries along the “Belt and Road,” significantly reducing trade distances between China and Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions.
The interview day passed in the blink of an eye, but the intelligent management and warm service of Qingdao Port left a deep impression on me. At a time when globalization faces headwinds, the construction of Qingdao Port’s smart border has not only injected powerful energy into the development of China’s foreign trade but also offered an inspiring “Chinese solution” for the international shipping industry.