In May, the first China-Central Asia freight train of 2025 rolled out from the Chinese mainland’s Tianjin Port, carrying 50 containers of auto parts, mechanical equipment, building materials and home appliances to Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
This landmark route marks a new chapter for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), slashing transit times and smoothing international logistics between northern China and its Central Asian partners. For entrepreneurs, investors and digital nomads navigating a post-pandemic world, faster rail connectivity translates to leaner supply chains and fresh market opportunities.
Since its founding in 2001 in Shanghai by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, the SCO has grown into a trans-regional powerhouse. Today it boasts:
- 10 full members
- 2 observers
- 14 dialogue partners
- Coverage of over 60% of Eurasia’s landmass
- Nearly half of the world’s population
Riding this momentum, China assumed the SCO presidency after the 2024 Astana Summit. The organization’s 25th Heads of State Meeting and the "SCO Plus" session are set for August 31 to September 1 in Tianjin, marking China’s fifth time hosting and the largest summit yet. Chinese President Xi Jinping will chair the sessions and deliver the keynote, welcoming leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international bodies.
As the global community watches, the updated rail corridor and the Tianjin summit promise to inject fresh energy into regional trade, tech collaboration and cultural exchange, core priorities for young global citizens and changemakers seeking a shared future.
Reference(s):
China committed to building closer SCO community with shared future
cgtn.com
