China’s Middle Corridor strategy has drawn attention as an initiative focused on expanding global trade networks and enhancing its economic power through trade revenues. Europe’s high purchasing power and growing markets offer a critical opportunity for China to leverage its production capacity on a global scale, while the Middle Corridor has emerged as a strategic logistics route accelerating this trade flow. Collaborations with developing economies through platforms like BRICS have diversified China’s trade network, while shipments to Europe via the Middle Corridor have stood out for their cost and time advantages. Through infrastructure investments and partnerships along this route, China has continued to enhance its commercial efficiency, thereby creating a power center that supports its economic growth. Today, this strategy focused on the Middle Corridor has not only facilitated China’s trade but also become a tool that reinforces its influence in the global economy.
On November 22, 2024, the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route Association (TITR) organized a roundtable titled “Trans-Caspian Connection: Experiences, Changes, and Outcomes” during the “Logitrans International Transport Logistics Fair 2024” in Istanbul, Republic of Turkey. The event aimed to strengthen international cooperation in transport and logistics, promote infrastructure development projects, and solidify partnerships among TITR member countries. The discussions covered challenges in the development of the Trans-Caspian transport system, the application of modern technologies, and best practices in cargo management. Special emphasis was placed on opportunities to increase efficiency, integrate innovative solutions, and further strengthen international collaboration.[1]
Shortly before the meeting on November 22, an agreement was signed between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and China to construct a new intermodal cargo terminal over a 40-hectare area at the Baku International Sea Trade Port in the Alat settlement. This project, signed by Nurlan Sauranbayev, Chairman of the Board of Kazakhstan Railways, Taleh Ziyadov, General Director of the Baku International Sea Trade Port, and Yuan Xiaojun, General Manager of Xi’an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation Company, was made possible through Azerbaijan’s provision of land, existing piers, and terminal capacity. The terminal aims to increase the volume of container trains on the China-Europe-China route via TITR, reduce delivery times, and lower transportation costs. Its construction is planned to be completed in 2025, offering a strategic contribution to regional logistics capacity.[2]
On November 24, 2024, a block train consisting of 62 forty-foot containers departed from Baku to reach China’s Xi’an Port via Kazakhstan. Previously used primarily for transit and import cargo from China to Azerbaijan, the Middle Corridor now also allows for export shipments in the reverse direction, aiming to boost efficiency and grow cargo volumes east-west. Under a project launched with the participation of representatives from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan Railways, the TITR secretariat, and Xi’an Changba International Port, a total of 15,000 tons or 600 containers of export cargo are planned to reach China by the end of the year. Through collaboration among local operators such as Azerbaijan Railways, the Absheron Logistics Center, the Baku International Sea Trade Port, and the Azerbaijan Caspian Sea Shipping Company, export products that previously used Georgia’s Black Sea ports are now shipped directly via national routes. The number of container block trains arriving from China to Azerbaijan this year is expected to exceed 300 by the end of the year and reach 1,000 by 2025, further strengthening the Middle Corridor as a strategic artery in east-west trade.[3]
The “Xi’an-Middle Corridor-Europe” route, which became operational on August 13, 2024, marked a significant step in reinforcing the geostrategic importance of the Middle Corridor within China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) transportation strategy. The connection of the route through Kazakhstan via the Altynkol Border Gate and the Aktau Port, crossing the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan’s Baku Port, and further linking to Georgia’s Poti Port has established a network aimed at integrating Central Asia’s energy and logistics hubs with Europe. Transport to Bulgaria’s Burgas Port across the Black Sea is provided by specialized container ships, reducing dependence on third-party public services in China’s logistics chain and accelerating processes. Deliveries to strategic centers in Europe, such as Belgrade, Mannheim, and Hamburg, within 5-8 days have enabled the route to become a competitive alternative.[4]
In November 2024, China’s infrastructure investments in the Middle Corridor accelerated further. The China Railway Container Transport Corporation (CRTC) announced its participation in the Middle Corridor Multimodal joint venture, emphasizing that this decision aligns with BRI’s efforts to strengthen diversified trade routes along the Europe-Asia axis. The volume of goods transported via the Middle Corridor this year reached 27,600 TEUs, solidifying the route as a competitive alternative.[5] These developments highlight that the Middle Corridor is not merely a commercial route but also a geopolitical tool supporting China’s deepening cooperation with Europe, Central Asia, and South Caucasus countries.[6]
In this context, China’s focus on high-capacity port investments in the Caspian Basin will strengthen the commercial and logistical infrastructure of the Middle Corridor strategy. Joint projects with Kazakhstan at the Aktau Port and with Azerbaijan at the Baku Port will not only expand the Middle Corridor’s trade volume but also enhance China’s influence on Europe-Asia trade routes. These investments will reduce transit times and increase China’s economic influence in the region while deepening trade partnerships through infrastructure financing under BRI.
From an international relations perspective, such projects also offer significant opportunities for the Caspian Basin countries. Increasing port capacities expands Kazakhstan’s and Azerbaijan’s trade networks, fosters regional cooperation, and positions the Caspian Sea as a more central hub within the Middle Corridor. In this regard, China’s investments in both Aktau Port in Kazakhstan and Baku Port in Azerbaijan have enhanced the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor. These investments have contributed to strengthening the Middle Corridor’s global competitiveness in trade and logistics.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, discussions emerged regarding the potential decline in Washington’s global engagement following Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency and the revival of the “America First” policy. Such a scenario is expected to increase China’s interest in the Middle Corridor strategy and accelerate steps to strengthen regional cooperation. Should the U.S. influence in the global trade system diminish, Beijing is anticipated to deepen multilateral relations primarily with Turkic states (Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan) and through BRICS while diversifying infrastructure projects along the Middle Corridor.
By 2025, China’s influence over the Middle Corridor is expected to further solidify. Aktau and Baku ports in the Caspian Basin are likely to become logistics hubs with modern infrastructure facilitating trade flows, thanks to Chinese investments. With the support of BRICS, China is expected to enhance its economic presence in the region and implement innovative solutions that reduce transit times and trade costs along the Middle Corridor. The U.S.’s “America First” policy may increase the West’s dependency on Central Asia and the Caucasus, presenting Beijing with an opportunity to assert economic dominance and expand its influence in the region.
[1] “Kruglyy stol v Stambule: opyt, peremeny i dostizheniya TMTM”, Middle Corridor, https://middlecorridor.com/ru/press-tsentr/novosti/kruglyj-stol-v-stambule-opyt-peremeny-i-dostizheniya-tmtm, (Access Date: 27.11.2024).
[2] “Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and China to Build Intermodal Cargo Terminal in Baku Port”, Middle Corridor, https://middlecorridor.com/en/press-center/news/kazakhstan-azerbaijan-and-china-to-build-intermodal-cargo-terminal-in-baku-port, (Access Date: 27.11.2024).
[3] Lumobir Cech, “Azerbaijan Sends First Railway Export Shipment To China Via Middle Corridor”, Rail Market News, https://railmarket.com/news/freight-rail/26734-azerbaijan-sends-first-railway-export-shipment-to-china-via-middle-corridor, (Access Date: 27.11.2024).
[4] “Xi’an, China- Middle Corridor-Europe Transit Times Are Now Around 30 Days”, Container News, https://container-news.com/xian-china-middle-corridor-europe-transit-times-are-now-around-30-days, (Access Date: 27.11.2024).
[5] “Kazakhstan, China Boost Cargo Traffic Along Middle Corridor”, Kazakhstan Newsline, https://newsline.kz/article/1182416/?ELEMENT_ID=1182416, (Access Date: 27.11.2024).
[6] Vusala Abbasova, “China Partners with Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia on Middle Corridor Initiative”, Caspian News, https://caspiannews.com/news-detail/china-partners-with-kazakhstan-azerbaijan-georgia-on-middle-corridor-initiative-2024-9-24-56, (Access Date: 27.11.2024).
