Linyi, a commercial hub in East China's Shandong province, is fast-tracking its bid to become a globally connected logistics hub by launching sweeping transportation reforms and building a national demonstration zone for modern, integrated transport infrastructure.

This year, Linyi listed transportation reform among its top 25 priorities. According to Xu Qinyong, Party secretary and director of Linyi's transportation bureau, the city aims to address shortcomings such as weak infrastructure, underpowered hubs, and limited international logistics channels.

The reform targets five key areas. First, Linyi is strengthening infrastructure and connectivity, enhancing its role alongside Jinan and Qingdao in building a tri-city transport hub. Plans include major highway and rail projects such as the Linyi section of the Weifang-Suqian High-speed Railway and expansion of rural road networks.

Second, its hub expansion focuses on boosting both passenger and freight terminals. A new terminal at Linyi Qiyang International Airport is set to open this year, while new high-speed rail stations will be built in several counties. On the freight side, a centralized international highway logistics center is now operational, offering streamlined one-stop services including TIR customs clearance.

Third, it is making channel breakthrough via international logistics corridors connecting east and west, land and sea. Linyi will double its TIR truck traffic, expand China-Europe freight trains with cold chain and e-commerce services, launch new air cargo routes, and develop sea-rail intermodal services with Qingdao Port.

Fourth, under the cost reduction and efficiency improvement action, Linyi is promoting "road-to-rail" shifts, supporting major logistics firms, and preparing to launch an international logistics association to foster enterprise growth.

Finally, the digital and smart transformation plan positions Linyi as a pilot city for national logistics data sharing. The city is also investing in green transport with more charging, battery-swap, and hydrogen refueling stations along a Linyi-Qingdao-Jinan green corridor.