Core Viewpoint - Kars, a historically significant city in eastern Turkey, aims to become a regional logistics hub under the Belt and Road Initiative, leveraging its strategic location and infrastructure investments [1][2]. Group 1: Strategic Importance of Kars - Kars is recognized as a historical and cultural treasure in eastern Turkey, serving as a gateway to the Caucasus and a transit point for eastern Anatolia to the Black Sea [1]. - The city is positioned as a key player in the "Middle Corridor," which connects China to Europe, significantly reducing transportation time [2]. Group 2: Infrastructure Development - The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, operational since 2017 and upgraded in 2024, enhances the cargo capacity and competitiveness of the Middle Corridor [2]. - Kars is set to become the first station connecting the China-Europe Railway Express with Turkey's railway network, presenting new development opportunities [2]. Group 3: Future Plans and Investments - Plans include establishing a railway-based industrial ecosystem and improving urban infrastructure to support local businesses in global markets [2]. - Kars aims to simplify foreign investment procedures to attract Chinese investors and create a fair and transparent business environment [2]. Group 4: Cultural and Tourism Development - Kars intends to promote its "Silk Road city" concept, natural beauty, and local cuisine to attract Chinese tourists [3]. - The city plans to collaborate with Chinese local governments for cultural and tourism initiatives [3].

申盖尔是卡尔斯本地人，去年当选市长。"卡尔斯在历史和地理上都占有非常重要的地位，我的目标是 把卡尔斯打造成'一带一路'倡议框架下的区域物流枢纽。"他说。 新华社土耳其卡尔斯8月4日电 专访｜中欧班列助推土耳其边城打造区域物流枢纽——访土耳其卡尔斯 市市长厄蒂肯·申盖尔 新华社记者熊思浩 作为古丝绸之路上的重镇和历史文化名城，土耳其东部边城卡尔斯曾经声名远播。卡尔斯市市长厄蒂肯 ·申盖尔日前接受新华社记者专访时表示，卡尔斯积极参与"一带一路"建设，希望借由途经此地的中欧 班列打造具有重要影响力的区域物流枢纽。 卡尔斯享有"土耳其东部历史文化瑰宝"之美誉，多元文化荟萃。此外，卡尔斯地理位置优越，是土耳其 通往高加索地区的门户，也是东安纳托利亚前往黑海地区的必经之地。 作为"中间走廊"计划的重要组成部分，连接阿塞拜疆、格鲁吉亚和土耳其三国的巴库-第比利斯-卡尔斯 铁路线于2017年开通，2024年又完成了升级扩建，大幅提升了"中间走廊"的货运能力和竞争力。 目前，这条跨国铁路线是已实现常态化开行的中欧班列南通道的必经之路。与中欧班列传统运行线路不 同，这条新通道经由中国新疆的霍尔果斯口岸出境，穿越哈萨克斯坦抵达里海 ...