Chongqing - Known for its dramatic "8D" urban landscape of mountains, rivers and multi-level transport networks, Chongqing is turning its complex geography into a logistics advantage with a five-year plan to upgrade its transport system and strengthen its role as a gateway connecting China with Europe and Southeast Asia.
The strategy focuses on enhancing transport capacity, improving freight and passenger services, and strengthening links across regional and international supply chains.
According to He Qing, director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Transport, at a policy briefing on August 20, Chongqing aims to improve regional and national connectivity by 2030, with one-hour travel between the two core cities of the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, three-hour access to surrounding provincial capitals and six-hour links to major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.
These connectivity goals are part of Chongqing’s broader vision to build itself as both a key transport center and an international logistics gateway. The city’s “one pole” goal focuses on strengthening its role within the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle, while the “one hub” goal aims to expand its function as a trade and logistics link connecting Europe, China and ASEAN markets and supporting China’s westward and southward economic opening-up.
Chongqing also aims to become the first city in western China to basically establish a "National 123 Transportation Circle" and a "Global 123 Logistics Circle." The national network targets one-hour commuting within urban areas, two-hour travel within city clusters and three-hour connections to major domestic cities. The global logistics network targets freight delivery within one day domestically, two days to neighboring countries and three days to major cities worldwide.
A China-Europe freight train departs from Chongqing, southwest China. (Photo/China Railway)
The plan proposes building an integrated system covering 10 transport networks, including railways, urban rail transit, highways, urban roads, waterways, aviation, low-altitude transport, energy pipelines, postal services and greenways.
The Yangtze River Cableway. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)
Officials said these networks will be connected through a digital platform to improve coordination among different transport modes.
The city also plans to develop a "four-port" international transport hub system, including an international land port connecting Europe and Eurasia, an inland water port linking rivers and seas, an international air hub and an inland international digital trade port.
By 2030, Chongqing expects multimodal transport volume through its hub channels to double to 350,000 standard containers.
The Hongyancun Bridge. (Photo/Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development)
For passenger services, Chongqing plans to expand international connectivity, with more than 70 international and regional air routes expected by 2030.
The city aims to achieve one-hour direct connections between Chengdu and Chongqing, three-hour access to surrounding provincial capitals and six-hour access to major economic centers.
Within the municipality, Chongqing will further develop its "two-hour transport circle" and promote integrated services linking high-speed rail with customized bus routes.
For freight, the city will focus on reducing logistics costs and improving supply chain efficiency. It plans to develop multimodal transport nodes around ports, logistics parks and industrial parks, supporting its "33618" modern manufacturing cluster system.
By 2030, Chongqing aims to reduce the ratio of total social logistics costs to GDP to 13%.
The plan also highlights digital and green transformation.
Chongqing will promote the "AI plus transportation" initiative, upgrade infrastructure through digital technologies and build 3,800 kilometers of smart transport corridors by 2030.
The city will also strengthen transport safety through integrated monitoring systems that combine air, ground, and satellite-based technologies.
As part of its green transition, Chongqing plans to develop low-carbon transport corridors, expand charging facilities at expressway service areas and promote new energy heavy-duty trucks, which are expected to account for 40% of the market by 2030.
A hydrogen fuel cell vehicle refuels at Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems (Chongqing) Co., Ltd. in Jiulongpo District, Chongqing. (Photo/Zhou Qi)
Transportation development will also be supported by energy infrastructure.
Mao Yi, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Energy Administration, said the city aims to increase natural gas storage capacity to 14 billion cubic meters by 2030.
Sichuan and Chongqing are advancing the construction of a trillion-cubic-meter-level natural gas production base, Mao said.
During the 15th Five-Year Plan period, Chongqing will expand strategic gas corridors, including the Sichuan-East Gas Transmission Line and southbound gas transmission routes.
By 2030, the city's annual gas transmission capacity is expected to exceed 50 billion cubic meters.
Chongqing also plans to expand underground gas storage facilities, including the Wanshunchang project and upgrades to existing storage sites, strengthening energy supply security for the region.
By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies, revised Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. You can change your cookie settings through your browser.
For any inquiries, please email service@ichongqing.info