Accelerating the construction of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in the western region is a major task proposed by the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and an important measure to promote the country' high-level opening-up. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) National Committee, made the remarks at the 14th CPPCC biweekly consultation meeting in Beijing on Dec 7, which was themed on high-quality development of the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor in the western region.

The 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) holds its 14th biweekly consultation meeting in Beijing on Dec 7, 2023. Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the CPPCC National Committee, presides over the meeting.  [Photo by Jiang Guidong]

Wang said that since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, the construction of the corridor has achieved significant fruits as a result of the more proactive opening-up strategy of the CPC Central Committee. He called on the CPPCC committees and members to leverage their advantages to deepen research on related major issues, and to build consensus and pool efforts to support the construction of the corridor. 

Attending CPPCC National Committee members called for greater efforts to improve the coordination mechanism across industries, departments, and regions to facilitate the construction of the corridor, advance the connectivity of infrastructure and standards, and explore new paths for the integration of industries and multimodal transportation.

They proposed to increase investment in infrastructure at ports along the corridor, and to optimize the business environment by improving information sharing mechanisms, and enhancing the efficiency of customs clearance services.

They stressed the need to enhance the integration of the corridor’s construction with major national and regional strategies, in order to support the high-quality economic development of the western region. They also highlighted the role of the corridor in helping boost connectivity with neighboring countries, promoting the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and deepening economic and trade cooperation with ASEAN countries.