China’s Logistics

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.

"China sits at the heart of global manufacturing – and its innovations in logistics are an important reason why it's likely to stay that way. In this important new book, Clifford and Logan offer a rich and timely appraisal of the complex webs that define China's deep web of supply chains and provide essential strategic guidance for industry professionals."- Dr. Parag Khanna, Founder & CEO of AlphaGeo and internationally bestselling author of Connectography and The Future Is Asian “China's logistics industry has experienced the stages of traditional logistics and modern logistics, and is now entering the era of intelligent and green logistics… My friend Paul [Clifford] has participated deeply in the reform process of transforming…many Chinese logistics enterprises, and has become a witness to this history. This book is his unique observation [in which] he has extracted many important conclusions, such as [on] the huge impact of Chinese government policies, on the Belt and Road Initiative and e-commerce logistics…This book deserves attention from readers who are interested in the development of Chinese logistics.” - Dr. Wu Youxi, Executive Director of China Logistics Society, Vice Chairman of Expert Committee of China Warehousing and Distribution Association, Visiting Professor at the Ministry of Commerce and at Beijing Jiaotong University. “In an increasingly volatile and complex global supply chain environment, an understanding of how China has emerged as a world leader in logistics is crucial. Clifford and Logan not only provide the reader with insight on the market’s development but deliver a clear ‘horizon scan’ of potential risks in an uncertain future.”- Professor John Manners-Bell, Founder, Foundation for Future Supply Chain and Author of The Death of Globalization“It’s impossible to understand global supply chains and logistics without understanding China’s evolving role, strategies, and tactics. China Logistics analyzes drivers and dynamics, from geopolitics and trade networks to the role of technology in improving efficiency and sustainability. This book will help readers to think clearly about the obvious, probable "gray rhino” challenges across China’s logistics landscape.” - Michele Wucker, Author of The Gray Rhino“China’s Logistics: From Laggard to Innovator tells the remarkable story of how China redefined its logistics industry through innovation and scale. This transformation resonates with Singapore’s own journey as a global leader in digital trade solutions, exemplified by platforms like SGTraDex. Both nations showcase the power of leveraging technology to create efficient, interconnected supply chains that drive economic growth. By linking vision with digital innovation, China and Singapore can inspire the world, setting a standard for sustainable and seamless global trade. This book is essential reading for those looking to understand the role of logistics and technology in shaping the future of commerce.”- Tan Chin Hwee, CFA CA, Chairman, SGTraDex

• 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.