China's first fully automated, all-weather, semiconductor-empowered global distribution center was put into operation in Pudong, Shanghai on Dec 14. [Photo/people.com.cn]

China's first fully automated, all-weather, semiconductor-empowered global distribution center was put into operation at Shanghai Pudong International Airport's comprehensive bonded zone on Dec 14.

The center is expected to boost Pudong's capability in global resource allocation, and will promote the development of the Global Operation Program, which is an important step for Pudong to strengthen its capability for mobilizing global resources and serving the establishment of the new development pattern.

The global distribution center, which is operated by Kintetsu Group Holdings, is a semiconductor global distribution center with the highest degree of automation, and the largest business volume in the world.

In recent years, Kintetsu Group has launched an array of innovative measures to improve its distribution efficiency, which will greatly increase the group's business volume, and the annual import and export volume of Kintetsu is expected to rise from 20 billion yuan($3.14 billion) to 40 billion yuan now that the global distribution center has become operational in Pudong.

The group will step up efforts to accelerate its layout in some key global markets, build more intelligent distribution centers in Pudong, and continue to expand new businesses globally and in the Asia Pacific region.