he importance and success of China as a source of manufactured product for the developed world has grown significantly over the last 10 years.
        This includes the manufacture and transportation of higher value-added goods, which are moved by air, and less-time-sensitive product, which is moved by sea.
        The logistics capability of China is determined by a number of events including:
        • The movement away from Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta as the dominant order-taking and sourcing locations for manufactured product;
        • The evolution of inland locations both in Central and Western China as sources of manufactured product for exports;
        • The development of the Chinese logistics infrastructure to support the diversity of locations that have evolved;
        • The economic growth of China, with resultant increase in local consumer demand and the need to support the expanding local markets.

        These events and the accession of China to the WTO (World Trade Organization), which open new opportunities for trade and new logistics enterprises, are keys to the generation of new capabilities and opportunities as part of the global supply chain.