Chongqing, May 28 (Xinhua) — The director of the Chongqing Municipal Government Office of Port and Logistics said on the 28th that Chongqing has integrated high-quality resources from the China-Europe Railway Express and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to innovatively create the “Asia-Europe Express,” establishing a landmark strategic corridor for the international logistics cycle connecting Europe, China, and ASEAN.

At a press conference held by the Chongqing Municipal Government Information Office on the same day, the director provided the above information.

The “Asia-Europe Express” is an upgrade from the “ASEAN Express,” with Chongqing serving as the corridor hub. It connects westward to Central Asia and inland Europe, extends northward to Russia’s Far East, and links southward to ASEAN countries.

Currently, the “Asia-Europe Express” operates three main routes on a regular two-way basis: from the ASEAN region via Chongqing to Duisburg, Germany; Moscow, Russia; and Almaty, Kazakhstan. Its coverage spans over 40 overseas nodes across Eurasia, with total distances ranging from 10,000 to 13,000 kilometers and transit times of 20 to 25 days, forming a stable, efficient, and two-way circular international logistics corridor.

“We are pleased to see that new energy vehicles produced at overseas factories of Chongqing’s leading automotive company have taken the ‘Asia-Europe Express’ for the first time to the European market. Meanwhile, European-made maternal and infant products and cosmetics are riding the ‘Asia-Europe Express’ to become new choices for ASEAN e-commerce,” the director said.

According to statistics, from January to April 2026, the cargo volume shipped via the “Asia-Europe Express” (measured in standard containers) increased by 69% year-on-year. The transported goods have expanded to over 100 categories, including complete vehicles and parts, medical equipment, and cold-chain food. The average container value reached 700,000 yuan, two to three times that of regular trains on the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the China-Europe (Asia) Railway Express, demonstrating strong market vitality and development potential.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China known for its dramatic mountainous terrain and role as a key industrial and transportation hub. Historically, it served as the wartime capital of the Republic of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and was a vital base for Allied operations. Today, it is famous for its spicy Sichuan cuisine, the scenic Yangtze River, and its unique urban landscape of towering skyscrapers and ancient hillside villages.

China

China is a vast East Asian country with one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, dating back over 4,000 years. It is home to iconic cultural sites like the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Army, reflecting its rich imperial history and philosophical traditions such as Confucianism and Taoism. Today, China is a global economic power, blending ancient heritage with rapid modernization.

Europe

Europe is a continent with a rich and complex history, shaped by ancient civilizations like Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and two world wars. It is home to diverse cultures, languages, and iconic landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum, and the Acropolis. Today, Europe is known for its political and economic integration through the European Union, while still preserving its unique national identities.

ASEAN

ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is a political and economic union founded on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, by five original members: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Its primary goals are to promote regional peace, stability, and economic cooperation, and it has since expanded to include Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Today, ASEAN serves as a key platform for dialogue and collaboration among its diverse member states, fostering integration in trade, security, and culture across Southeast Asia.

Central Asia

Central Asia is a historically significant region that served as a crossroads for ancient trade routes, most notably the Silk Road, facilitating cultural and economic exchange between East and West. The area has been home to powerful empires, such as the Persian, Mongol, and Timurid, and later became part of the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Today, it comprises five independent countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—each with rich cultural traditions and diverse landscapes.

Russia’s Far East

Russia’s Far East is a vast, remote region stretching from Siberia to the Pacific Ocean, known for its extreme climate and rich natural resources. Historically, it was gradually colonized by the Russian Empire in the 17th century, with key settlements like Vladivostok established as military outposts and later as a major Pacific port. The area played a strategic role in Soviet times and today remains a sparsely populated but economically important frontier.

Duisburg, Germany

Duisburg is a city in western Germany, located at the confluence of the Rhine and Ruhr rivers. Historically, it was a major center of the steel and iron industry during the Industrial Revolution, and today it is known for the Duisburg Inner Harbor, a revitalized industrial area that now serves as a hub for culture, leisure, and modern architecture. The city also played a significant role in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages.

Moscow, Russia

Moscow, the capital of Russia, is a historic and cultural hub first mentioned in chronicles in 1147. It grew from a medieval fortress into the center of the Grand Duchy of Moscow and later the Russian Empire, Soviet Union, and modern Russia. The city is renowned for landmarks such as the Kremlin, Red Square, and St. Basil’s Cathedral, which reflect its rich and often turbulent history.