Opinion | China’s Dalian airport will be more than an infrastructure marvel

This would-be world’s biggest offshore airport marries China’s aim to revitalise its northeastern belt with its ambition to bolster its global influence in aviation, trade and logistics

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An artist’s impression of the completed Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport, set to be the world’s largest airport built on an artificial island. Photo: Weibo

Published: 9:30am, 4 Jan 2025

The relentless drive to establish itself as a global leader in infrastructure development is leading China to reach new heights with the construction on an artificial island of the world’s largest offshore airport, the Dalian Jinzhouwan International Airport.

Scheduled for completion by 2035, this ambitious project spans an area exceeding that of Hong Kong International Airport and Japan’s Kansai International Airport, highlighting China’s dedication to strengthening its connectivity and bolstering its economic influence.

Located in the coastal city of Dalian, a vital gateway in northeast China, the upcoming airport could serve as a critical node in the country’s economic and trade ecosystem. This development reflects the strategic imperatives of a rising global power. It is designed not merely as a transport hub but as a linchpin in China’s broader goals of economic revitalisation, regional integration and global trade dominance.

Dalian has long been a pivotal economic centre in northeast China, with a port that serves as a trade gateway to the Pacific. The introduction of Jinzhouwan, or Jinzhou Bay, airport could facilitate a seamless integration of air and sea logistics. This multimodal connectivity is likely to attract investment and stimulate growth in industries such as manufacturing, logistics and tourism.

For the broader northeast region, often referred to as China’s “old industrial base”, the airport represents an opportunity for economic rejuvenation. Historically reliant on heavy industries, the region has struggled with economic stagnation and population outflow in recent decades. By enhancing access to domestic and international markets, the airport could serve as a catalyst for diversification and modernisation, creating new opportunities in hi-tech industries, advanced manufacturing and service sectors.

China has in recent years grown to become one of the world’s largest air travel markets, alongside the US. Jinzhouwan airport aligns with this growth, offering a state-of-the-art facility capable of handling the surge in passenger and cargo volumes.

Foreign visitors fill in entry cards at Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing on December 4. Photo: Xinhua