Chongqing- Chongqing released achievements made in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) over the past four years and introduced the government department's next plan at a press conference held on April 26. The number of cargo categories has increased from 53 to 640, and the channel network has expanded from 58 ports in 35 countries (regions) to 315 ports in 107 countries (regions) in 4 years.

Asian farm product enter China through ILSTC

The master plan for the ILSTC has identified Chongqing as the logistics and operation center of the ILSTC to promote the opening-up of the city and Western China.

Statistics showed that from 2017 to 2021, the freight volume of Chongqing through the ILSTC has increased from less than 3,000 TEUs to 112,000 TEUs, and the value of goods has risen from 580 million yuan (about 88.5 U.S. dollars) to 18.7 billion yuan, with the freight volume and value increasing by 37 times and 31 times respectively. The number of cargo categories has increased from 53 to 640, and the channel network has expanded from 58 ports in 35 countries (regions) to 315 ports in 107 countries (regions).

Thanks to this economic artery, "Made in Chongqing" products such as Sokon Group, Zongshen Group, Qingling have been exported directly overseas. Agricultural products such as oranges, onions, and lemons have been shipped out through the cold chain by sea. Similarly, plenty of high-quality agricultural products such as Indian pepper, Malaysian durian, Vietnamese pangasius, Cambodian rice, and Brazilian frozen beef have entered the Chinese market through the ILSTC.

In particular, the railway maintained rapid growth in 2021, and the rail-sea combined freight trains exceeded 2,000, hitting a record high. In the first quarter of this year, Chongqing also got a good start: 26,000 TEUs and 4.4 billion yuan worth of goods were transported through the corridor, up 18.2% and 23.2%, respectively, year on year.

These economic performances are also thanking the efforts made by the Foreign Affairs Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government. In recent years, the Chongqing delegation has visited countries with ILSTC, such as Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. Foreign dignitaries from Singapore, South Korea, and Cambodia also have visited Chongqing. The high-level exchange of visits has driven the development along with the ILSTC.

Besides, the office established the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Rural Revitalization Research Center and the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Legal Research Center, laying a solid foundation for closer economic, trade, logistics, and cultural cooperation between Chongqing and countries along the ILSTC.

Attract more ASEAN companies 

Hu Hongbing, deputy director of the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, said that Chongqing would hold regular inter-provincial consultation joint meetings to solve major issues and regional annual priority tasks. At the same time, Chongqing will encourage regional companies and overseas service agencies to coordinate international and domestic resources.

More transportation capacity will be born in Chongqing. The number of freight trains connecting Beibu Gulf in Guangxi will increase. More freight trains will head to Zhanjiang Port in Guangdong province and Yangpu port in Hainan. Freight trains between Northwest China and Chongqing will also take a bite from the ILSTC.

Chongqing will improve the logistics platform by building the ILSTC Chongqing Anhydrous Port (phase I), expanding the Tuanjiecun station and Yuzui station, and innovating the blockchain digital bill of lading system. The ILSTC development index will be published regularly to reflect operation quality.

An official from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce said that Chongqing would attract ASEAN multinational groups and Asia-pacific headquarters of the Fortune 500 companies to invest in Chongqing. They will support leading enterprises in ASEAN countries to set up regional offices in Chongqing to boost the construction of an international consumption center.

With the help of the ILSTC, Chongqing enterprises in automobile, motorcycle, and agricultural industries will soon layout factories and maintenance centers in  ASEAN countries.