As a global company operating in over 225 countries and territories, nothing has been more exciting than being able to expand within regions of the world that are experiencing explosive economic growth. No where is that more evident than in China.
For DHL, Greater China has registered strong double-digit growth in the last few years, and accounted for close to half of our Asia Pacific investments. This strong performance is directly attributable to a sizable investment program that was mapped and executed in the past few years, focusing on operational capacities to cope with the growth in business volume, and the expansion of our ground footprint within China. We’ve also established the DHL Logistics Management University to develop DHL Leaders of the future and to raise the standards of the industry.
China is nothing like it was 25 years ago and while obstacles still remain in many respects, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The government's latest five-year plan has earmarked $14.7 billion to expand airport infrastructure and to meet domestic growth with 44 additional airports by 2010. There is also a $115 billion investment planned to develop highways and roads, adding 150,000 km and a National Trunk Highway System to connect 93% of the cities.
A member of the Asia-Pacific Conference of Express Operators, DHL works with its Chinese partners to help raise its concerns with the government and provide input to assist them in policy formation. Over the last two years, our support of China Post's reform plan has given us a great opportunity to work directly with the regulatory body and promote better market access.
China will be able to sustain its growth for some time to come and DHL, with our strong local knowledge, network infrastructure and presence, is well positioned to ride the wave of economic success.
Our operation in China today serves 318 Chinese cities from 73 branch offices, supported by over 11,000 employees. Over our 21-year-long history in China, DHL has built up strong long-term relationships with customers, officials and our employees, and invested heavily in infrastructure.
DHL is now the only global company that can offer customers end-to-end supply chain solutions ranging from express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics services in China. We've got strong local expertise. We know the market through our own research and understanding; and our people in China are well equipped with the knowledge and expertise to fit all of your shipping needs, with a smile. DHL Express is also the first international express company to offer a domestic service—China Domestic—in China in 2004, and DHL Global Forwarding is the first and only international freight forwarding company to provide domestic air freight services.
Further, by managing our business directly, DHL is able to offer our customers higher levels of customer intimacy, stability and continuity in the business. All of those relationships translate into one thing—better customer service. Being “fast" and "reliable" is now an industry standard. For DHL and its clients, it's the importance of our values that make us a leader in express shipping both with the people of China and with our customers around the globe.