China-Kazakhstan Cooperation: Lianyungang Port in Jiangsu Province links up Kazakhstan

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02:25

One of the key missions of the SCO is to enhance cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative. Lianyungang Port in East China's Jiangsu Province, a pioneer in linking Eurasia, is playing an even more important role by boosting bilateral trade between China and Kazakhstan. CGTN's Cui Hui'ao brings us the story from the port.

Last year, a new trade route opened.

Hundreds of tons of wheat from Kazakhstan now regularly arrive in Lianyungang port, east China's Jiangsu province, before being loaded onto ships headed for Southeast Asia.

YESSENGULOV DARKHAN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEPARTMENT MANAGER LIANYUNGANG CHINA KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS CO., LTD "We chose Lianyungang because it opens a new market for us. Now we can sell our wheat to Vietnam, and the travel time is only about 18 days, a week shorter than our Australian and American competitors."

The passage marked the first land transfer of Kazakhstan-grown wheat via China, which was made possible by the China-Kazakhstan Logistics Center built at the port.

LIU BIN GENERAL MANAGER LIANYUNGANG CHINA KAZAKHSTAN INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS CO., LTD "From purchase to trade to sales, our center aims to establish the entire logistics chain. In the future, not only grain, but other Kazakhstan products including corn, minerals, cotton and even mutton will be transported to Southeast Asia via this passage."

Liu says the main function of the center is to serve as a transfer station, clearing the way for businesses to reach their international clients.

CUI HUI'AO LIANYUNGANG, JIANGSU PROVINCE "Located at a cross-section of land and sea routes, there's a lot Lianyungang Port can do besides boost China-Kazakhstan trade. Other countries along the Silk Road Economic Belt certainly could benefit from the port's development."

DING RUI CHAIRMAN, LIANYUNGANG PORT HOLDINGS GROUP CO., LTD "Lianyungang port's role is to provide an export harbor for members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. China-Kazakhstan cooperation is just the starting point. For instance, freight from Uzbekistan now accounts for about 40 percent of the total cargo volume from SCO members."

So far more than 50 million tons of wheat from Kazakstan have arrived at the Lianyungang Port this year. Ding says the next breakthrough for the port is to extend the industrial chain, negotiating with Kazakstan partners to process their wheat locally, which will further boost bilateral trade. Cui Hui'ao CGTN, Jiangsu Province.