Trade corridor fuels western China's growth

From local to national

The evolution of the railway station at Qinzhou Port reflects the dynamic growth of the trade corridor, showcasing a remarkable journey of progress and development driven by openness and connectivity.

In September 2017, the "southward corridor" from Chongqing through Guizhou province and Guangxi to Singapore, the precursor to the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, made its debut. By August 2019, a plan from the National Development and Reform Commission elevated it from a local initiative to a national strategic project.

Anchored in Chongqing and with key western provincial-level regions as critical nodes, the corridor employs a blend of rail, sea and road transport to connect with global destinations via the coastal and border ports of Guangxi and Yunnan province.

After five years of construction, the corridor, more commonly known as the new western land-sea corridor, now connects 523 ports across 124 countries and regions. The total number of train departures has exceeded 30,000 while the range of goods transported has expanded from over 80 types to more than 1,150, reflecting the corridor's growing role in global trade.

As a landmark project of the Belt and Road Initiative, the corridor is key to accelerating the large-scale development of China's western region. Spanning 12 provincial-level regions, the less-developed western region plays a vital role in driving the country's sustainable, high-quality development.

According to Zhai Kun, a professor at Peking University's School of International Studies, the corridor has elevated the western regions to a vantage point of openness, catalyzing swift economic growth in these areas. This development not only underscores the robustness, vast potential and dynamism of China's economy, but also stands as a compelling testament to the vitality of the BRI.