Gansu Province is leveraging its strategic geographic location to actively integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), transforming from a historical trade route into a modern hub of international cooperation. With increasing openness to the outside world, the province is building itself into a major gateway for western development. From cross-border freight trains traveling along the Lanzhou-Xinjiang Railway to international expos and bonded stores for imported goods, Gansu is becoming a vivid example of BRI development in China’s northwest.
Driven by trade quality improvement policies and international cooperation efforts, Gansu’s exports of local specialty products—like fresh apples—have surged, particularly to BRI partner countries. The province has developed 128 overseas warehouses and marketing outlets, exporting over 2,400 types of products including agricultural goods, machinery, and chemicals. In 2024, Gansu’s foreign trade grew by 25.2%, topping the national growth rate. The province has also strengthened its role as a logistics hub, with international freight trains and air cargo routes expanding to over 60 countries and regions, effectively connecting Gansu with markets across Asia, Europe, and Africa.