Foreign media: China is investing in developing a new trans-Eurasian freight corridor, known as the "Middle Corridor," to bypass the unstable situations in Russia and the Middle East. This route spans 4,750 kilometers, crossing Kazakhstan, traversing the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan and Georgia, and then entering Turkey.
Chinese state-owned enterprises have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into ports at both ends of the Caspian Sea. Baku Port received approximately $70 million in grants and $2 million in equipment, while the new Aktau port received a $300 million investment.
This international transport corridor across the Caspian Sea integrates rail, road, and maritime transport, reducing transit time between China and Europe from 45 to 60 days by sea to just 15 to 18 days. However, scholars point out that the current capacity remains low, unit costs are still higher than those of sea freight, and improvements are needed in ferry services across the Caspian Sea, port connectivity, and gauge conversion.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869398981146624/
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