The China-Europe Railway Express Qingdao Assembly Center is set to begin operations. [Photo/Guanhai News]

Qingdao is strengthening its position as a key player in the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to operate 1,100 China-Europe Railway Express (CR Express) services by 2025. The city is working alongside Jinan to establish a new trade corridor linking the Yellow River basin to the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area and the Asia-Pacific region.

The China-Europe Railway Express, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, is a vital part of efforts to enhance international trade. Recently, the National China-Europe Railway Express (Jinan-Qingdao) Assembly Center was approved, marking a significant step forward in developing logistics between the two cities. The center will serve as a major hub for cargo consolidation and transshipment, bolstering Qingdao's role as a logistics center.

In 2024, Qingdao's CR Express services saw impressive growth, with 1,017 train departures, marking a 17.8 percent increase from the previous year. New international routes, including a direct train to Moscow via Tongjiang, have further expanded the city's rail network. Qingdao has also launched specialized trains for exports like home appliances, tires, and chemicals, while incorporating innovative business models combining rail transport, cross-border e-commerce, cold chains, and supply chain finance.

Looking ahead, Qingdao plans to enhance its logistics infrastructure by linking land and sea transport with Jinan, fostering a "hub-to-hub" network and helping it to become a crucial global trade hub.