Chongqing - Customs districts in Chongqing and Chengdu recently conducted a Q&A session to address inquiries regarding Southwest China’s burgeoning economic activities.

Officials have pledged to forge an international logistics hub within the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle this year, emphasizing an open-platform approach, competitive industries, and internal bolstering of the region’s strategic position.

Customs data reveals that in the first two months of 2024, the foreign trade value of imports and exports for Sichuan and Chongqing reached 259.13 billion yuan (about 35.95 billion USD), marking a 6.2% increase compared to the previous year.

The session showcased successful initiatives and exemplary customs practices adopted in both regions. A standout initiative is the China Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing), initiated in 2021, which has significantly invigorated China’s foreign economic and trade exchanges.

Over the past three years, customs officials from both regions have collaborated to streamline supervision processes, enhance the efficiency of railway customs clearances, and consistently improve the speed and simplicity of rail-based cargo transportation for imports and exports.

During the initial two months of 2024, the China Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) conducted over 650 operations, transporting more than 70,000 TEUs, leading the nation in both aspects.

The augmentation in the number and quality of trains signifies a substantial advancement in the Chengdu-Chongqing region’s efforts to expand its openness at a high level. It also epitomizes the joint endeavors of customs authorities in Chongqing and Chengdu to establish more streamlined international logistics pathways.

Furthermore, both entities have advocated for creating a shipping hub along the upper Yangtze River and forming world-class airport clusters in the Chengdu-Chongqing region. As these connections fortify, the area’s logistics network grows more intricate, accelerating the establishment of a broader and more open trading environment.