ILSTC cross-border railway express launched across China, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia

On June 27, simultaneous ceremonies marking the launch of the Two-Way Departure for China, Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia Cross-Border Railway Express along the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC), were held at Chongqing's Jiangjin Xiaonanya Station and Malaysia's Selangor Sungai Way Station.

The launch of the Two-Way Departure for China, Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia Cross-Border Railway Express Along the ILSTC. (Photo/Zheng Ran)

This groundbreaking cross-border railway express debuts the ILSTC, linking Chongqing, Vientiane, Bangkok, and Selangor. A train carrying 40 containers of chemical raw materials departed from Chongqing, passing through Laos and Thailand to reach Malaysia in nine days. At the same time, a train with 48 TEUs of ASEAN agricultural products, food, and daily necessities left Malaysia for a nine-day journey to Chongqing.

This innovative rail service is the first to provide all-rail transportation in both directions across four countries, offering a greener and safer alternative to traditional shipping and road transport.

This development expands on the corridor's initial launch in December 2023 with the China-Laos-Thailand route.

On December 29, 2023, a train carrying 64 TEUs of chemicals departed from Chongqing Tuanjiecun Station and arrived at Map Ta Phut Station in Thailand in just five days, traveling via the China-Laos Railway. At the same time, a train with 30 TEUs of Thai agricultural products left Map Ta Phut Station in Thailand and reached Chongqing in five days.

"Today's new route boosts the export of diverse products from the Chengdu-Chongqing area and other western regions to Southeast Asia. Moreover, it opens the Chinese market to an increasing variety of high-quality ASEAN fruits and agricultural products," according to He Hua, assistant general manager of Minsheng International Freight Forwarding Co., Ltd.

"The opening of the liner has not only improved the efficiency of cross-border logistics operations but also significantly enhanced the economic and trade cooperation and industrial linkage between the regions along the ILSTC and the ASEAN countries," said Deng Qian, assistant general manager of the New Land-sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd.

Deng noted that this venture has received strong support from the four countries' governments, customs, railways, and involved enterprises, paving a new path for economic exchanges and bolstering regional connectivity.

Additionally, this launch coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, symbolizing a new milestone in the deepening cooperation and exchanges between the two nations.

In the future, Chongqing plans to use its strategic position as a logistics hub to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and other ASEAN countries through the ILSTC.