On Dec 24, a freight train carrying seeds departs from Jiuquan for Italy via the new western land-sea corridor rail-sea linkage. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In recent years, Jiuquan has expanded cross-border freight to the Americas, South Asia, and Central Asia while improving its trade environment. In 2025, six rail-sea intermodal trains carrying 101 containers of local products, including seeds and asbestos, totaling about 2,078 tons and valued at nearly 200 million yuan ($28 million), have reached more than 10 countries, including the Netherlands, Italy, and Uzbekistan, official data showed.

Jiuquan and neighboring Zhangye, along the Hexi Corridor, are key seed production areas in China, with local climate and geographic conditions supporting stable yields.