The 2026 Promotion Conference on High-quality Development of Special Purpose Vehicles for Overseas Expansion kicks off in Liangshan county, Jining, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liangshan, a county in Jining, East China's Shandong province, known for its rich heritage, is now gaining recognition in the global special-purpose vehicle industry. The 2026 Promotion Conference on High-quality Development of Special Purpose Vehicles for Overseas Expansion was held in the county on May 14 and 15. Nearly 700 national manufacturers and global buyers attended the event to explore cooperation in special-purpose vehicles.

"China's special-purpose vehicle exports are growing rapidly," said Zhong Weiping from the China Automobile Dealers Association. New-energy models are especially in demand in Europe and Southeast Asia due to their advanced technology and cost-effectiveness.

A trader from Benin, who operates in over 20 countries, said loaders and dump trucks are in high demand for infrastructure projects in Africa. The new special-purpose vehicles in China are high-quality, and the second-hand commercial vehicles offer great value, he added.

A buyer from Somalia attended the conference specifically to buy dump trucks and tractors. "Our country has seen rapid development in logistics, and we purchase vehicles in China on a regular basis," he said, "And the quality and service of Chinese products are trustworthy."

Behind these transactions is Liangshan's strong industrial cluster. The county is a national production base for special-purpose and used commercial vehicles. Currently, 143 enterprises are nationally certified, and their products reach 122 countries and regions.

To support exports, local firms formed a union to offer overseas maintenance, replacement platforms, and financial services. Once known for the Water Margin legend, Liangshan is quickly becoming a key hub for China's vehicle exports.