Chongqing -  Chongqing Cross-Border Highway Regular Lorry, in Banan District,  a crucial logistic node of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), has formed a corridor system that covers the whole area of the Indo-China Peninsula, connecting 11 highway lines and 19 ports in Central Asia, South Asia, and Europe.

“The construction of the ILSTC has shortened the distance between China’s western inland and the coastal cities,” said Jia Hui, deputy secretary of the Banan District Committee of the CPC and Chief Executive of the Banan District People’s Government at the press conference Thursday. “It also promotes the deep integration of the domestic and international markets.” 

Jia Hui, deputy secretary of the Banan District Committee of the CPC and Chief Executive of the Banan District People’s Government. (Photo/Zuo Liyun)

The ILSTC serves as an important strategic support for building a new pattern of dual circulation development.

For example, Chongqing Highway Logistics Base is located in Banan district, one of the four main hubs of the ILSTC, the only national comprehensive highway hub in Chongqing, and the largest logistics base in the west.

In 2022, Chongqing Highway Logistics Base reached 104 billion yuan (about USD 15.23 billion) in transactions, with an average annual growth of 24% for five consecutive years. 

At present, the base has become an international commercial logistics center integrating modern logistics, intelligent warehousing, exhibition and trading, processing, urban supply assurance, and other functions.

Chongqing Highway Logistics Base, located in Banan District, Chongqing, is the largest logistics base in the west. (Photo/Chongqing Highway Logistics Base)

“Banan district seizes major development opportunities, relies on Chongqing Highway Logistics Base, and actively explores economic and trade cooperation with the ASEAN market,” said Jia.

For example, the ASEAN International Food Industrial Park in Banan District is accelerating construction. This will become an international agricultural products distribution center connecting ASEAN, covering the southwest and serving the whole country.

This will also attract more ASEAN multinational groups to invest and settle in Banan, introduce high-quality ASEAN food, handicrafts, and fruits, and effectively promote the deep integration of corridors, trades, and industries.

Jia added, with the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, ASEAN countries have become Chongqing’s largest trading partner for three consecutive years.

Chongqing Cross-Border Highway Regular Lorry, one of the three main transportations in the ILSTC, also serves as an economic and trade bridge between Banan and ASEAN countries.

Banan directly delivers ASEAN high-quality food products to Chongqing via Chongqing Cross-Border Highway Regular Lorry, such as Thai deep-sea prawns, Beer Lao, Malaysian cubilose, and other high-end products.

“With the construction of logistics corridors, logistics costs have been dropped, and product prices have been reduced by 20%,” said Jia. “Citizens can enjoy diversified, high-quality, and cost-effective goods from ASEAN.”

Chongqing Cross-Border Highway Regular Lorry is one of the three main transportation in the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor. (Photo/Yuan Qifang)