“钢铁驼队”开辟上合“新丝路”

Core Insights - The article highlights the significant role of Tianjin Port as a crucial gateway connecting China with Central Asian countries and the global market, emphasizing its strategic importance in international logistics and trade [1][2]. Group 1: Transportation and Trade Growth - Since 2013, Tianjin has launched over 7,300 China-Europe (Central Asia) freight trains, connecting 25 countries and regions, with a year-on-year increase of 18.4% in the first half of this year, totaling 365 trains [1]. - The port has developed specialized cargo routes for Central Asian products such as grains and minerals, enhancing the return cargo for freight trains and creating an "outlet to the sea" for inland countries [1][2]. Group 2: Infrastructure and Cooperation - Tianjin Port has over 140 container shipping routes, maintaining trade relations with more than 500 ports across 180 countries and regions, positioning it as a leading coastal port for freight volume [2]. - The ongoing and planned transportation corridors are facilitating trade routes for Central Asian countries, which are landlocked, thus enhancing regional connectivity and economic exchanges [2][3]. Group 3: Project Collaborations - In April 2024, Tianjin Rail Transit Group signed a consulting service contract for the first phase of the light rail project in Astana, Kazakhstan, showcasing active project cooperation with Central Asian nations [3]. - The emphasis on "hard connectivity" in infrastructure and "soft connectivity" in rules and standards is crucial for fostering deeper ties and mutual understanding among the people of the involved countries [3].