China eyes new multimodal routes to expand Asia-Europe freight

China is considering new multimodal routes involving rail, road and maritime transport to expand freight flows between Asia and Europe.

According to Report, Yu Hongchi, Counsellor for Commercial and Economic Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Azerbaijan, made the remarks at the Second Azerbaijan International Investment Forum (AIIF 2026) in Baku.

He said the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR, Middle Corridor) and the southern route of China-Europe freight express services were showing strong development momentum.

"We see significant potential for further expanding transport links between China and the countries of Central Asia, the South Caucasus and Europe. The development of multimodal transportation and greater efficiency of existing logistics infrastructure play an important role in this process," Yu said.

He noted that freight across the Caspian Sea is transported both through Kazakhstan's Aktau and Kuryk ports and with the active involvement of Turkmenbashi port in Turkmenistan.

"New multimodal models are being developed, including international China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan rail-road routes," Yu added.

He said the development of such routes would broaden the geography of transport links and create additional options for delivering cargo between China and European markets.