Happy 2019 Annual Dinner in Ningbo

Time flies and a new year comes. Looking back in 2018, under the leadership of the company and the unity and cooperation of all employees, all departmentshave worked hard and tried their best to achieve the target. 2018 is a meaningful, valuable and rewarding year.

 

In order to celebrate the start of a new year in the Chinese calendar and also to enhance group cohesion, every year G.H forwarding flies all employees to Ningbo to attend the company annual dinner with the theme “Unity isStrength” on the evening of 23rd February, 2019.

 

So employees from Shanghai, Qingdao, Tianjin, Guangzhou and also Vietnam flew over to participate!  Similar to last year, half of the 200+ people that attended we employees and the remaining half are our distinguished guests, local partners and shipping lines whom we work with.  It’s also a time for us to give thanks for their support throughout the year.

 

Throughout the dinner there were performances from 5 different departments and also games which required participation from the audience.  All in all it was a fantastic evening.

 

Let us review some of the wonderful moments together!!

Our lovely chairman, Mr. Zhou lingfeng

A special present for our client

A traditional song of China “The unity is strength” sang by all Customer service team

Our Southeast Asia group’s show: Knocking drums and singing

Russia team and Import team were dancing together

Beautiful song by Vietnam branch office

An interesting game in annual diner

The lucky game winner got the lucky money

Toasting together

Our general manager with black T-shirt thanking for all colleagues

Guangzhou branch office

Russia team with our chairman

Welcome to 2019!

 

Hope we can grow together and get more business in 2019!

Chinese Year-end Dinner

The Chinese Year-end Dinner is a very important activity for Chinese to celebrate the Spring Festival. They will always gather together before the festival to have a dinner. Many Chinese companies would arrange the dinner days before the holiday, time to get out of the office and play!

 

Last Friday night our colleagues in Vietnam Branch when to the Nha Be Garden for the Year-end Dinner, they had a nice meal and chatted about whatthey gained last year, and also talk about their goals and plans for the new year. What’s more, they played some funny games like guess the riddle and drawing red packets. Everyone had a great time that night! This activity bonded the team in Vietnam make them more united than ever!

Guangzhou branch had the year-end dinner last Saturday night, they went to the restaurant, with everybody feeling relaxed after putting the work aside.   There was even time for some drinkin games during the meal, have you played “Bing bang wah” before?  If not, ask someone from the Guangzhou branch to teach you!  After the dinner it was time for Karaoke where some people sang their hearts out!!! 🙂

2019 is a brand new year for opportunity to grow and develop, wishing you all a great year!

Introduction of China Railway Express

China Railway Express – the trains between China and Europe and all the other countries along the route of “One Belt, One Road”  according to the fixed trainschedules and numbers.

This train route was mainly developed by China, gathering lots of railway agents, logistics agents and owners of cargo together from countries in Asia and Europe.  It is the longest international railway transportation route in the world for now.

 

In 2018, in total, 6300 trains were ran which increased 72% year-on-year. With 56 domestic cities, it can reach 49 cities in 15 European countries which is better progress than previous year.  However there were some problems, for example, empty containers were limited, and also the charges of each country is different, some of it pretty high.  Customs clearance is also a big problem in some cases.

Here are some suggestions for China Railway Express to improve the service:

 

1. Promptly study and solve existing problems.

2. Improving Transport Documents.

3. Continue to attract cargo flows from neighbouring countries or regions to utilize Sino-European liner transport.

4. To reduce the logistics cost of China and Europe, start specific business training, and continue to improve and expand the “One Belt, One Road” logistics corridor.

Since the operations of each part is continuously improving, we believe that there are more and more chances to develop more in the near future whether it be in economy or politics, China Railway Express is always a solid foundationfor these developments!

The Year of the Pig

According to Chinese tradition, this year is the year of the Pig.

Why does China have the year of Pig?

The Chinese Yinyang principle consists of a 12-year cycle, each year of which is named after a different animal that imparts distinct characteristics to its year. The ancient Yinyang principle constructed a fantastic system of 10 heavenly stems and 12 mundane branches. The latter correspond to 12 animals with two symbolic functions. Each animal is mystically related to one year in a 12-year cycle.

 

It is known as “The Chinese Zodiac”. The Chinese zodiac features 12 animals in the sequence of Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Each animal represents a different “personality”.

 

According to legend, people held a conference with all the animals, informing them that they would pick the 12 to represent the zodiac.

According to myths, here’s what happened:

 

It was coming up to the new year and twelve animals were arguing. There was a rat, an ox, a tiger, a sheep, a rabbit, a dragon, a snake, a dog, a horse, a rooster, a monkey, and a pig. They thought the new year should have a name. They were arguing because each animal wanted the year to be named after himself.

 

There was such a noise that they disturbed the Jade Emperor.

 

“Whatever is the matter with you, animals?” Jade Emperor asked.

One by one, they explained their problem.

The Jade Emperor thought it over.

“I’ve got an idea.” He said. “Can you see that big river? Why not have a race across it? We can name this new year after the winner of the race.”

All the animals agreed that this was a good idea, but each one secretly thought that they would be the winner. They all hurried to the river and lined up for the race.

“Ready, steady, go!”

With a mighty splash, the animals leaped into the river and started swimming as fast as they could towards the other side.

Now, the rat wasn’t the best swimmer, but he was the cleverest animal. He saw that the ox was going to win the race, so he swam as fast as he could and grabbed hold of the ox’s tail. He climbed up the tail onto the ox’s back. Just before the ox reached the other side of the river, the rat leaped over his head onto the bank.

“Hurray! I’m the winner!” He squeaked, “Heeheehee!”

“Hard luck, ox!” Laughed the Jade Emperor.

“You’re very strong, but rat was too clever for you this time. We will call this year the year of the rat. Ox, you were the second, so next year will be the year of the ox.”

One by one, the other animals finished the race.

“Oh, well done!” Said the Jade Emperor. “We will name a year after each of you in the same order that you finished the race.”

This is just one of the many myths about the origin of the Chinese Zodiac.

 

Reference:

https://www.hopenglish.com/chinese-new-year-story

https://www.hjenglish.com/new/p95768/

http://www.258en.com/en/2013_0512/13541.html

The Spring Festival in China

This year, the Spring Festival (otherwise known as Chinese New Year) falls on 05.Feb.2019 in China and if you are familiar with China, you will know that there is an official week long public holiday from 04-10.Feb.

In the Shipping & Logistics Industry

For those of us in the shipping and logistics industry, it means that the world’s largest factory will be shut down for over a month since a lot of factories will close and allow workers to celebrate the year’s most important public holiday in full.

Any last minute shipments being ordered now will be faced with a scramble for overbooked vessels.  As truck drivers prepare to go back to their home towns, the ones that remain to earn a bit more before leaving, will charge an extra premium for service since they know there will be a shortage of drivers.  It’s ironic, but there will be no shortage of trucks for shipments, but there will be a shortage of drivers.

On a lighter note…

Here are some things that you may not know about the Spring Festival holiday in China:

1. It is observed on a different date every year

There’s no set date for the Spring Festival as its set according to the lunar calendar and lasts from the 1st (according to the lunar calendar) until the 15th which will be a full moon.  Typically, Chinese New Year ranges between 21.Jan to 20.Feb every year.

2. The most fireworks are set off that night in the world!

According to a Chinese myth, a monster called Nian (年,the Chinese word for year), would come around every Chinese New Year’s Eve and everyone would be so scared, they would stay inside their homes.  However, there was a boy who was brave enough to scare him off with firecrackers.  The next day, everyone celebrated with firecrackers and the practice became a important part of Chinese New Year celebrations.

3. But it’s not legal everywhere…

In recent times due to safety concerns and also pollution, more and more cities in China have been banned from using fireworks, more than 500 cities have restrictions too.

In Beijing, it was banned for 13 years, however the people eventually reacted negatively to this and it was eventually lifted in 2006.

If you happen to be in China during Chinese New Year, you will notice that during the celebrations, there’ll be at least 3 days where you hear a lot of fireworks going off.  Sometimes this can last for weeks depending on where you are.

4. It’s the longest and most popular Chinese holiday

In different parts of China, celebrations can go on for up to 40 days – mostly in the rural areas, people will celebrate it for longer.  Traditionally, it’s a time spent with family and you only really go out to meet other people after the 5th day.  You will notice a lot of shopping malls closed during this time.

The closest thing that Western culture has to this is Christmas time where people will move heaven and earth to get home for that Christmas meal with family.  Chinese New Year is like an extended version of this.

5. It’s also a time to eat, eat, eat…

Traditionally, you should be eating dumplings every day – however with all the delicious food available, nowadays people rarely do this.  Most however, still eat dumplings for breakfast or for the New Years Eve dinner.

6. The largest human migration in the world

Every year during this time marks the beginning of the world’s largest human migration as everyone makes their way home from their place of work to be with their families for the New Year’s Eve dinner.  Most elderly parents live in rural villages while their children go to the cities to work and hence everything stops in China as masses of people make their long journey home.

Train tickets are only available 60 days before departure, so you can imagine the rush to get tickets.  In 2015 it was recorded that 1,000 train tickets were sold every second in the New Year rush.

7. No showering, throwing out garbage, or sweeping

You cannot shower on New Year’s Day, nor can you sweep or throw out garbage before the 5th.  You make up for this by having a big spring clean of your home before the new year – this is geared towards sweeping away all the bad luck and making room for good luck in the new year.

Other things considered as “taboo” during the new year includes:

– Having a haircut

– Using scissors or other sharp items

– Swearing or arguing with others

– Saying or talking about negative/unlucky topics like “death” and “sickness”.

– Breaking things

8. Giving and receiving “lucky money” in little red envelopes/packets

You will see a lot of this happening if you are in China.  Children are given red packets which contain money which is supposed to help transfer fortune from elders to Children.  They can also be given between bosses, employees, co-workers and friends.

As a general rule, technically if you’re married, you should be giving red packets to those who are not married yet.  Though aside from the exceptions mentioned above, elders will still give to their sons, daughters and those who are younger and close to them even if they are already married.  Those providing a service e.g. security guards working in your apartment complex, compound or workplace will also be given some from the people they may see every day.  So during this time, you will notice that they are extra nice with their service to you during this time.

So I hope you now know a bit more about the Spring Festival and Chinese New Year.  Finishing off this article with how Chinese New Year ends… with the first full moon of the new lunar new year.  This is celebrated as the Yuanxiao Festival (元宵节) or Lantern Festival.

It is a night of partying and freedom – but not in the way we understand these words nowadays.  In ancient times, girls weren’t allowed to venture outside by themselves, however on this day, they were allowed to do so, so many would walk around outside to enjoy the atmosphere and gaze at the beautiful full moon and lanterns which are hung out everywhere.  For this reason, it is also known as Valentine’s Day in China.

If there is a Chinese New Year celebration where you are this year, you can attend the celebrations knowing that bit much more about exactly how to celebrate it correctly 🙂

References:

1. Chinese New Year Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year

2. 21 Things you didn’t know about Chinese New Year:https://chinesenewyear.net/21-things-you-didnt-know-about-chinese-new-year/

Continue reading “The Spring Festival in China”

The highlights of 2018

2018 was a great year for our company, we have grown in every aspect, but most of all we have grown as a team.

 

The company is nothing without the people in it so here we take a look at the highlights of each of our offices throughout 2018.

2018 Ningbo Run in New Year

Ningbo Annual dinner and party in 2018

Beautiful Womens day

Ningbo headquarter made a sightseeing tour

Shanghai branch office had a nice spring tour

Guangzhou branch office had a sea adventure

Qingdao branch office had a outing in May day

GLA conference in OCT. in Shenzhen

Our Vietnam branch office is 1 year old

Team building weekend in December

Christmas party and Merry Christmas!

So 2018 was a hard working but fun packed year.

 

I’m sure 2019 will be an even more exciting and challenging year!

 

Let’s see what we can achieve together!

China Railway Express

The competition of China Railway Express is getting hotter. According to the latest statistics from various places, Chengdu, Chongqing and Xi’an have exceeded 1,000 trains in the cities in China currently. What’s more, as of the end of this year, the total number of domestic and European trains may exceed 5,000 from Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Yiwu and other 42 cities.

 

Wang Ming, the director of the Comprehensive Transportation Research Institute of the National Development and Reform Commission, said that in some inland areas, China Railway Express are the driving force for gathering resources and forming logistics hubs. But we should put more attention to quality rather than quantity after reaching 1000 trains.

According to the statistics, shows that as of the end of October 2018, China Railway Express has exceeded 11,000, and 45 cities which has China Railway Express. The destination includes 15 countries in Europe and 11 countries in Asia for transporting 920,000 standard containers. A logistics research who has been engaged in the operation and research of the China Railway Express team, said that the 5000 represent the increase in quantity, and we should realize the breakthrough in the quality of the China Railway Express.

It is reported that  the domestic government will completely cancel the local government’s allowance for the China Railway Express and execute full-market operations in 2020. It means that e next two years will be a crucial period forChina Railway Express. So there is facing a question with who can have more sources of supply, then who is likely to take the initiative in the market competition. Take China Railway Express of Chongqing as an example, its main categories of goods are from the initial notebook products, auto parts, communication equipment, etc., gradually expanded to chemicals, food, cold chain, medicine and medical equipment. At present, the supply of goods outside Chongqing accounts for more than 60%, while Xi’an has announced that its foreign goods supply accounted for 80%.

In addition to domestic supply, some China Railway Express cities begin to consider the transfer station for international sources. The earliest exploration is in Chongqing. Chongqing is promoting the development of entrepot trade, for example, it will build up the connection between China Railway Express(Chongqing) and the new channel of international land and sea trade to realize the entrepot trade between Europe and Asia through Chongqing. At present, there are two tests. The first one is that the Korean LG electronic products produced by Vietnam have been tested through this way, and arrived in Poland and Germany successfully. And the other one is the entrepot trade test of Belgian tobacco leaves to Japan.

Regarding the development of the future China Railway Express, Wang Ming believes that “In the competition, all localities should promote the high-quality development of the trains. We should realize expansion from the single channel economy to the comprehensive industrial layout and industrial chain.”

Reference: Translated from《中欧班列:开行量有望超5000列,财政补贴或2020年退出》——中欧班列热点论坛

Belt and Road Forum Ningbo Fair

The 2018 “Belt and Road” Port Cooperation Summit Forum & The 2nd China(Ningbo) International Shipping Logistics held in Ningbo during 10th Dec – 12nd Dec is successfully concluded. GH Forwarding is also part of it as a member.

For this time, the fair set up different exhibition halls with different themes like“Belt and Road”Sea, Land and Air port, well-known international & domesticlogistics company, mainly shipping business in the Yangtze River Delta and the Economic Zone, logistics enterprise.

The fair lasted 3 days, many logistics companies gathered together to communicated about the opportunities to cooperate and develop. This is a valuable chance for those who came to the fair to learn and share. Every company had its own booth,  and of course GH Forwarding was present.  We also met a lot of friends from the other companies, our booth was verypopular during the fair time. We have a Strong and complete development system, we don’t just focus on domestic opportunities, we are also trying our best to promote ourselves to everywhere in the world, just like what the theme of the fair is, “Active Integration Into The Belt And Road Linking China Connecting The World”. Thanks for supporting us for now or for the future, no matter where or when, we are always by your side!

Professional Logistics for Southeast Asia from GH Forwarding!

GH Forwarding was established in 1992, we have more than 25 years experience in this industry. Southeast Asia is always our focus area since it’s such a place full of potential.

Southeast Asia is a critical part of the world trading system, a wide range of commodities originated in this region. With such rich resource, Southeast Asia is a treasure land for a lot of industries, full of business opportunities. Good transportation and the trend of globalization make the logistics industry develop more and more rapidly in this area.

In order to follow the “Belt And Road” policy, our GH Forwarding sincere hope we can have more interaction with Southeast Asia agents and India, Bangladesh agents. Hopefully we can have a long term cooperation and communication. GH Forwarding, always your reliable partner in China.

We regular work with shipping lines below:

Of course we are not limited to these shipping lines, just at your requests. Feel free to contact us, we will show you what we’ve got!

-DDU, DDP terms.

-Import&Export.

-Sea, Air and Railway.

-Direct booking agents of several shipping lines.

-Competitive Tier 1 rates.

-Quality Customs Services.

 

We are always ready for you. GH Forwarding, your agent in China!

G.H Forwarding: A Logistics service of Baltic sea

G.H Forwarding, was born in 1992, with a long history and mature experiencein logistics. To develop more business and improve our services, our company is currently pushing Baltic sea service.

The Baltic Sea, a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, enclosed by Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, northwest Russia, Poland, Germany and the North and Central European Plain. So it’s an important area fortransportations since it has position advantage, good natural condition. Meanwhile, the transportation of the Baltic Sea has a significance in the world. It promotes the development of logistics services and national economy.

Due to it has a trade advantage in transferring to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Europe and Asia. Our company is planning to create more connection with agents in Baltic sea region. We are working a good relationship with many shipping lines:

The main services we will be working on:

– DDU, DDP terms.

– Import & Export customs clearance.

– Sea, Air and Railway.

– Direct booking agents of several shipping lines.

– Competitive Tier 1 rates.

– Quality Customs Services.

Your agent in China—G.H Forwarding. Hope everyone can contact us to discuss for a long-term cooperation. We are waiting for you here and always be here!

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