Chongqing- Chongqing is a key inland port on the Yangtze River in western China. Although it seems unrelated to the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, which is known for having the most land ports and the longest boundary line in China, these two areas are now working together to promote trade, thanks to the China Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC).
Gantry cranes are hard at work in the loading area of the Horgos railway port in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China on October 18, 2023. (Photo/ Zhang Jinhui)
Westbound international logistics corridor through Alashankou
Marketing Manager Zhang Yunlong checks shipment quantities, warehouse status, and customer needs to formulate precise delivery plans upon entering the New Land-sea Corridor Operation (Xinjiang) Co., Ltd.
In 2020, the company was jointly funded by Chongqing-based New Land-sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd. and Xinjiang International Land Port (Group) Co., Ltd., symbolizing Xinjiang's participation in the integrated mechanism of a unified brand, set rules, and collective operation.
Chongqing and Xinjiang have been working closely on developing the trade route. Notably, in 2011, Chongqing launched the Yuxinou (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) railway, the inaugural China-Europe freight train route, which provides a vital trade link through Xinjiang to Europe.
Yang Lin, Director of the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government, emphasized Xinjiang's role in supporting the Yuxinou route. When Chongqing launched the Yuxinou railway, the trial endpoint for the domestic route was Alashankou in Xinjiang, while the foreign route trials also began from Alashankou.
Thanks to Xinjiang's support, Chongqing established this westbound international logistics corridor. Now, Yuxinou is one of the busiest routes and most competitive brands of China-Europe freight trains.
The benefits of their collaboration between Chongqing and Xinjiang became evident in June 2022, when Hami melons from Xinjiang, assembled in Chongqing, reached Thai consumers in just eight days, thanks to efficient logistics.
Since the RCEP agreement took effect, demand for Xinjiang's specialties in the ASEAN market has surged. Zhang mentioned that their company initiated a "transport and trade integration" model. Leveraging cross-border shuttle logistics, they've been exporting more Xinjiang grapes, Hami melons, and other fresh produce to Southeast Asia, effectively addressing Xinjiang's cold chain logistics limitations.
This June, Chongqing collaborated with Gansu and Xinjiang on a significant initiative, launching the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan multimodal transportation channel and ILSTC test train. This train represented the first attempt at a "rail-road-rail" multimodal transport, using highways in places where the railway is not available.
The state gate is a landmark in Horgos, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/ Zhang Jinhui)
Horgos railway port witnesses Chongqing-made products going abroad
At the Horgos railway port on October 18, containers bearing the "Yuxinou" label were a common sight.
Hamit Turhan, a cargo loading officer at the Horgos railway port, is familiar with Chongqing products. He mentioned, "Goods like cars and laptops from Chongqing are transported to BRI co-building countries via the Yuxinou, passing through the Horgos and Alashankou ports. My role involves managing the loading and unloading of these shipments."
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was proposed in 2013, and Hamit started working at the Horgos railway port in August 2013. Over the past decade, he has seen the number of China-Europe trains frequency increase, cargo variety expand, and transit times on the Yuxinou route reduce from 20 to 15 days.
Data released by the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government underscore the growth. Up to now, the Yuxinou boasts about 50 routes and reaches 108 international distribution points.
Data released by the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government. (Graphic/ Zheng Ran)
Yang stated that laptops made in Chongqing destined for Europe primarily travel via the China Railway Express, passing through the Horgos port. This route is crucial for Chongqing's laptop industry to reach the European market.
Since the BRI was proposed a decade ago, many products labeled "Made in China" and "Made in Chongqing" are being shipped overseas via the China-Europe freight train from Chongqing, passing through Xinjiang's ports.