Trade changing western region future

Editor's note: To promote the high-quality development and implement policy measures aimed at strengthening industrial development, the Chinese government has increased investments in new quality productive forces and emerging services to unleash the full potential of domestic demand. Three experts share their views on the issue with China Daily.

When people think of China's western region, they generally picture rugged mountains, landlocked cities, vast rocky plains, green meadows, and the "last stop" on the globalization map.

But the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor is fast changing that narrative. This ambitious transport artery connects the Silk Road Economic Belt in the north with the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in the south. It's not just a line on paper, but a network abuzz with railways, ports and canals, moving everything from electric vehicles and batteries to coconuts at record speed.