"The new equipment preserves fruit quality during long hauls and cuts logistics costs, so consumers in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei can enjoy fresher tropical fruits," Gong said.

Demand for tropical fruits in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region has been rising steadily. The containers also transport Chinese vegetables to Southeast Asia, creating two-way trade for perishable farm goods.

Gong added that the land port aims to become a core cold-chain hub linking the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region with Southeast Asia, leveraging the China-Laos Railway to expand reefer use and boost cross-border flows of fresh produce.

Pang Jingyi contributed to this story.