Chinese President Xi Jinping and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev jointly officiated the opening ceremony of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) via video link from Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 3. The event marked a milestone with the first official crossing of Chinese freight from the Kazakh ports of Kuryk and Aktau across the Caspian Sea section of the TITR, also known as the Middle Corridor.
The ceremony began with progress reports from the Kazakh project leader on port activities, followed by the Chinese project leader seeking guidance from the two heads of state. Both presidents then jointly gave the order to commence official operations along the transport route, observing in real-time the loading of cars and containers onto a ship.
This event marks the formal establishment of a multi-dimensional connectivity pattern integrating roads, railways, aviation, and pipelines along the TITR. The route, which has operated for two years via the China-Europe freight train service crossing the Caspian Sea, now includes the direct road transportation of Chinese freight vehicles to Kazakh ports for shipping across the sea.
The TITR, or Middle Corridor, is part of the Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to create an efficient and diversified transportation network connecting China and Europe through Central Asia. This corridor offers an alternative to the traditional northern route via Russia and the southern route through Iran, providing a strategic advantage for trade and logistics.
The TITR includes various modes of transport such as direct road transportation of goods from China to Kazakh ports, connecting China and Europe through a series of rail links, shipping goods across the Caspian Sea from Kazakh ports, and enhancing connectivity through aviation and pipelines.
President Xi’s state visit to Kazakhstan coincides with his attendance at the 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). This high-level summit focuses on regional security, economic cooperation, and cultural exchanges among member states, reinforcing the strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan.
The official launch of the TITR is expected to boost trade and economic ties between China, Kazakhstan, and other countries along the route. By providing a reliable and efficient transportation network, the Middle Corridor aims to reduce transit times, lower transportation costs, and enhance the competitiveness of goods transported between Asia and Europe.
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