China's International Land-Sea Trade Corridor Handles Over 5 Million TEUs

The China Railway Nanning Group announced that the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), a major logistics network connecting China's western regions with global markets, has transported over 5 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of goods as of last Saturday.

1. Strategic Significance of the Corridor

• Strategic Connection: The corridor links the Silk Road Economic Belt (to the north) with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (to the south), and integrates with the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

• Pivotal Role: The corridor plays a pivotal role in China's strategy for coordinated regional development, serving as a strategic route connecting China's interior regions with the markets of ASEAN member states and other parts of the world.

• Rapid Development: Since its trial operation in 2017, the ILSTC has developed rapidly. While the first million TEUs took over four years to achieve, the fifth million was delivered in just over 240 days, highlighting the corridor's strong vitality and expanding scope.

2. Growth Volume and Cargo Movement (2025)

Indicator	Value	Notes
Total TEUs Transported (to date)	Over 5 million TEUs	Since trial operation in 2017.
Cargo Volume Transported in 2025	1.31 million TEUs	An increase of over 50% year-on-year.
Value of Imports and Exports (Q1-Q3 2025)	611.5 billion yuan ($86.4 billion USD)	A 19.3% year-on-year increase for China's western regions.
Contribution to Western Regions' Foreign Trade	Increased growth by 3.4%	The corridor's contribution to the overall foreign trade growth of the western regions.

3. Main Cargo

• Main Exports: Chemicals, machine parts, and new energy vehicles (NEVs).

• Main Imports: Bauxite, coal, and grains.