Western regions new powerhouse of trade steadying supply chains

Compared with China's more export-oriented eastern and southern coastal regions, the western region has long been regarded as the end of the global trade map. Yet the western region is expansive and rich in potential. Spanning Chongqing municipality, six provinces and five autonomous regions, it accounts for over 70 percent of the country's land area and nearly one-third of its population.

Today, the region is playing an increasingly prominent role in global trade. In the first half of 2025, its foreign trade reached 2.12 trillion yuan ($296 billion), up 10.4 percent year-on-year, a record high for the first two quarters. Sharing borders with more than 10 countries, China's west serves as a gateway for engagement with Central Asia, South Asia and Southeast Asia. With this geographical advantage, the region is becoming a crucial bridge between domestic and international markets. For example, the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, a key logistics network established in 2017, connecting China's western regions to global markets, has expanded its reach to more than 500 ports in 127 countries and regions.

Yet the significance of this shift extends far beyond regional development. China's western development is just one part of a broader and deliberate effort to safeguard global supply chain security, a mission that has taken on new urgency in today's uncertain international climate. From geopolitical disruptions to climate-related risks, global production and trade systems have become increasingly fragile. In this context, China is stepping forward to offer solutions grounded in connectivity, efficiency and multilateral cooperation.