Chongqing — Recently, Chongqing hosted a key conference promoting cooperation among state-owned, foreign, and private enterprises along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC)—a major step in China’s effort to turn inland cities into global logistics hubs.

The event brought together business leaders from 10 countries and regions, including Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Macao. 

A strategic cooperation opportunity list by Chongqing's state-owned enterprises was released. (Photo/Chen Zhan)

A key highlight was the release of a strategic cooperation opportunity list by Chongqing's state-owned enterprises. The list featured 36 major projects with a total investment exceeding 70 billion yuan (about 9.75 billion USD). These projects seek to attract 40 billion yuan in external investment and are focused on infrastructure, transportation, smart logistics, and integrated industrial development along the ILSTC.

For example, the Core Area of the Chongqing Airport Economic Demonstration Zone is launching a logistics project with a planned investment of 4.2 billion yuan. The project aims to build a top-tier ecosystem for high-end air logistics in China.

Minsheng Group is looking to partner with interested automotive manufacturers and traders to jointly develop premium shipping routes from China to Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. Additionally, the company is seeking business collaboration with enterprises needing warehousing and logistics services at its 20,000-square-meter overseas warehouse in Thailand. 

Foreign partners expressed strong interest in participating. Lee Han Lim, City Councillor of Hang Tuah Jaya in Malacca and President of the Malaysia-China Cultural Trade Association, emphasized Malaysia's strategic role in connecting maritime and inland logistics.

"We aim to strengthen logistics ties between Chongqing and Malaysia's Port Klang through intermodal shipping, shared warehousing, and smart logistics systems," Lee said. "We are also working to integrate blockchain-based customs clearance with big data platforms to cut clearance times by over 50% and enable real-time cargo tracking."

He noted that Malaysian companies such as FM Global Logistics see strong potential in combining seaport freight expertise with China's inland rail advantages. "This corridor offers a breakthrough for inland trade connectivity and is redefining logistics in Asia," he added.

Yang Yi, Deputy Director of Chongqing's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, outlined government measures to facilitate the corridor's construction.

"State-owned enterprises will actively invest in ports and industrial parks along the corridor, and promote the global export of products such as vehicles, equipment, and engineering services," Yang said. "Our goal is to integrate logistics, industry, and trade to elevate Chongqing's role as a comprehensive inland opening-up hub."

The event saw the signing of 14 collaborative projects worth 12.2 billion yuan, encompassing financial services, international trade, and logistics. Four of the 14 projects involved foreign enterprises, reflecting the increasing global confidence in the ILSTC. 

As China accelerates efforts to globalize its inland economy, the ILSTC is emerging not only as a trade channel but also as a platform for international industrial cooperation. The latest collaboration model between state-owned, foreign-invested, and private enterprises is designed to leverage each party's capital, technology, and market access strengths.