Tianjin, July 3, 2025 – Since late June, 29 drivers from Kazakhstan have been undergoing intensive training in light rail operation in Tianjin, northern China. Organized by Tianjin Rail Transit Company, this three-month program covers technical solutions including equipment installation, weather adaptation, procurement, and modernization for the light rail line in Astana.
Wang Qingyong, Consulting Director at Tianjin Rail Transit, said that instead of simply transferring Chinese experience, customized training materials and content were developed to fit Astana’s local conditions. Company President Wu Bingjun emphasized that to strengthen connections, it is necessary to enhance not only infrastructure but also interpersonal relations.
The transportation sector continues to be a leading area of cooperation among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries. During the Global Sustainable Transport Forum Senior Officials Meeting and the 12th SCO Transport Ministers Meeting held in Tianjin on July 2-3, discussions focused on strengthening regional transport links. SCO Deputy Secretary-General Sohail Khan said, “The goal is to establish a sustainable and efficient transport system incorporating advanced technologies with contributions from all member states.”
On June 30, a new China-Europe freight train route based in Beijing and running via the Caspian Sea to Baku, Azerbaijan, commenced operations. This rail-sea-rail combined route covers over 8,000 kilometers, reducing transit time from around 50 days to 15 days. Wang Dong from China Railway Beijing Group noted that this corridor will greatly facilitate trade.
According to China’s Ministry of Transport, in 2024 the number of China-Europe Railway Express trains passing through SCO member, observer, and dialogue partner countries reached 19,000 — a 10.7% increase over the previous year — indicating growing integration of regional transport networks.
Li Yang, Deputy Minister of Transport of China, stated that China will continue to contribute to global transportation and create new opportunities through development, maintaining international cooperation based on mutual consultation, joint construction, and shared benefits.
In 2024, trade volume between China and SCO member, observer, and dialogue partner countries reached 890 billion USD, with total investment stock exceeding 140 billion USD. Newly signed engineering contracts surpassed 1 trillion USD, and cumulative completed projects generated a turnover of 680 billion USD.