A Middle Corridor ultra-express train carrying communication equipment, auto parts, and other goods departs from Chongqing on June 29, 2025. (Photo/Diyiyan TV)

Chongqing - An ultra-express block train carrying communication equipment and auto parts arrived in Istanbul, Türkiye, in the afternoon of July 21 local time, completing the first China-Europe Express service via the Middle Corridor from Chongqing. The new link is expected to boost trade efficiency across the Eurasian continent.

Also known as the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, the Middle Corridor serves as a vital link across Eurasia. It integrates rail and maritime transport, passing through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and then onto Europe via Türkiye or the Black Sea. Compared with traditional sea routes, this corridor is shorter and more controllable and has increasingly become a crucial channel for connecting China and Europe.

The train, jointly operated by Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Chongqing Logistics Group, and Pasifik Global Logistics Group in Türkiye, departed on June 29. To improve efficiency, the two sides optimized transport coordination and resource allocation, cutting travel time to just 22 days—10 days shorter than traditional routes—and offering a faster logistics option for Eurasian trade.

"Building on our previous collaboration, we have further strengthened strategic coordination with our Turkish partners. This train serves as a breakthrough to offer more convenient transport options for companies in Chongqing and nearby regions looking to go global," said a representative of Chongqing Logistics Group.

The Pasifik Global Logistics Group emphasized the importance of optimizing logistics channels and enhancing resilience against external risks amid the current global geopolitical landscape. The success of this train will enhance the Middle Corridor's competitiveness as a viable alternative route and support the stability of global supply chains.

A representative from the Chongqing Port and Logistics Office noted that Chongqing, as China's first city to launch an ultra-express train on the Middle Corridor route, will continue deepening cooperation with Turkish partners and promote the integrated development of the Belt and Road Initiative and the Middle Corridor. With joint efforts, the route is expected to further strengthen Chongqing's role as a key strategic fulcrum for developing China's western region and a comprehensive hub for inland opening-up, while bringing new opportunities to global trade and logistics networks.