The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor has dramatically expanded its global reach over the past five years, now connecting 523 ports across 124 countries and regions. Launched in 2017, this vital trade and logistics passage is a collaborative effort between provincial-level regions in western China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members.
With its operational hub in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, the corridor links global ports via a network of railways, sea routes, and highways, traversing southern Chinese regions like Guangxi and Yunnan. This strategic infrastructure facilitates efficient trade between western China and the rest of the world, fostering economic growth and regional development.
According to data released by the coordination center for logistics and operation of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, more than 30,000 China-Europe freight trains have traversed this route. The annual freight volume from Chongqing through the corridor has seen significant year-on-year growth: 50% in 2019, 45% in 2020, 54% in 2021, 32% in 2022, and 21% in 2023.
The variety of goods transported has also expanded remarkably, growing from over 80 types to more than 1,150 types in five years. These goods span a wide range of categories, including electronic products, vehicles and components, machinery, small household appliances, and food items. Notably, the corridor has achieved a near balance between inbound and outbound shipments, reflecting its efficiency and global demand.
Western China’s specialty products are finding new markets thanks to the corridor’s fast and efficient logistics. Goji berry juice and red wine from Ningxia, oranges from Chongqing, and tea from Guizhou have become new growth drivers for local foreign trade. The export of new energy vehicles has accelerated, with local automotive enterprises establishing factories in Southeast Asian countries.
Conversely, specialty products from Southeast Asia, such as Thai durians and Vietnamese basa fish, are entering the Chinese market more rapidly through the corridor. This exchange enhances cultural ties and offers consumers a greater variety of goods.
“The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor not only promotes the opening up and development of western China but also creates new opportunities for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative,” stated the coordination center for logistics and operation of the corridor.
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New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor connects 523 ports worldwide
cgtn.com
