Chongqing - Chongqing continues to make significant strides in developing the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), a key trade route linking Western China to global markets.
In the first quarter of 2025, the city’s efforts contributed to a 28% year-on-year increase in container transportation, with a total of 64,000 TEUs moved, valued at nearly 11.59 billion yuan (about 1.58 billion U.S. dollars). This growth marks a strong start to the year and highlights the expanding role of the ILSTC in Chongqing’s logistics and trade landscape.
The dry port of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor at Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park. (Photo/Long Fan, Visual Chongqing)
Regional collaboration drives success
Chongqing’s success can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of its districts and counties. Liu Wei, director of the logistics and operations center of ILSTC, noted that as the ILSTC's importance grows, districts and counties across the city have recognized its economic potential and are proactively contributing to its development. As a result, the ILSTC now covers all 38 of Chongqing’s districts and counties, creating a citywide logistical network.
Jiangjin District stands out among the early adopters. In March, the district’s freight train successfully carried 265 tons of Lao cassava starch to Chongqing via the ILSTC China-Laos Railway, marking a milestone for the district’s international rail services. Having started regular international trains back in 2019, Jiangjin has become one of the key hubs for the ILSTC in Chongqing. The district’s proximity to strategic transport links, such as the Luohuang Port and Xiaonanya Station, has played a crucial role in its success.
In the first quarter of 2025, Jiangjin’s ILSTC freight trains saw a 21% increase in shipments, reaching 20,074 TEUs, contributing to 40% of the city’s total rail freight volume. Jiangjin’s success serves as a model for other areas in Chongqing, offering valuable insights into how to leverage infrastructure and resources for greater regional integration.
While central districts like Jiangjin have flourished, remote areas have faced greater challenges due to geographical limitations. However, counties like Xiushan have proven that with the proper focus, even distant regions can thrive within the ILSTC framework. Located in the southeastern part of Chongqing, Xiushan has become a key logistics node, particularly for agricultural products and processed products. By tapping into the region’s strategic location at the junction of three provinces and a municipality, Xiushan successfully launched the ILSTC Wuling Mountain freight train in 2023, bringing international rail links to a previously underserved area.
Tailored approaches for different districts and counties
Chongqing’s logistical model is flexible, with areas like Fengjie leveraging cross-border road freight services instead of traditional rail and sea routes. As a mountainous region, Fengjie struggled with rail logistics but found success using road freight to export local products, such as oranges, to Southeast Asia. Using cross-border road freight services has helped small-scale shipments thrive due to their lower volume thresholds and faster turnaround times.
To ensure that each area in Chongqing benefits from the ILSTC’s growth, the city has adopted a “one area, one policy” approach. This tailored strategy allows each district or county to address its unique logistical needs, from optimizing transport routes to connecting with neighboring regions. For example, the ILSTC logistics platform facilitated a partnership between Fengdu County and Southeast Asian markets, reducing the transit time of goods by nearly 10 days compared to traditional river transport.
Looking ahead, Chongqing is committed to further enhancing the ILSTC’s logistics network and reducing overall logistics costs. By 2027, the city aims to improve its infrastructure and services, cutting comprehensive logistics costs by 20% and reducing overall transit times by 30%. With a focus on regional cooperation, Chongqing will continue to lead the development of the ILSTC, contributing to both local and national economic growth.
The successful integration of Chongqing into the ILSTC exemplifies the city’s dedication to becoming a key player in global trade, driving economic growth, and connecting Western China to the world.
(Yang Jun, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)