High-level joint construction of a new land-sea channel in the west (new theory)

　　The new western land-sea channel is not a pure logistics channel, but an economic corridor with deep integration of transportation, logistics, commerce and industry

　　The new western land-sea corridor is located in the hinterland of my country's western region, connected to the Silk Road Economic Belt in the north, and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in the south. It is connected to the Yangtze River Economic Belt and has an important strategic position in the coordinated regional development pattern.

The "14th Five-Year Plan" and the 2035 long-term goal outline clearly set the new western land-sea channel as one of the major projects oriented to serve the country's major strategy.

In February and April this year, General Secretary Xi Jinping clearly emphasized "to actively participate in the construction of the new western land-sea channel" and "high-level joint construction of the new western land-sea channel" during his inspections in Guizhou and Guangxi.

The new western land-sea channel ushered in new development opportunities and shouldered a new mission of the times.

　　The construction of the new land-sea corridor in the western region has achieved remarkable results, providing important support for the economic and social development, development and opening up of the western region.

Since the introduction of the "Master Plan for the Western Land-Sea New Corridor", under the leadership of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, and under the joint promotion of relevant departments, provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities along the route, and related units, the Western Land-Sea New Corridor has become an important engine for driving the economic and social development of the western region.

Taking Guangxi as an example, the container throughput of Beibu Gulf Port, an important seaport in the western region, has increased from 3.08 million TEU in 2018 to 5.05 million TEU in 2020, an increase of more than 60%. The railway and sea trains connecting the western region will increase from 2018. The 1154 columns in the year will increase to 4607 columns in 2020, a growth rate of 299%.

In the process of the construction of the new western land-sea corridor, the sea-land-connected ports and channels have been continuously improved, the logistics service level and operation efficiency have been significantly improved, the two-way mutual economic and trade linkage pattern has gradually formed, and the promotion mechanism represented by the inter-ministerial and inter-provincial consultation mechanism has been gradually improved. .

　　However, we must also be aware that there are still some problems that need to be resolved in the development of the construction of the new land-sea corridor in the west.

For example, the development of in-depth integration of transportation, logistics, industry, economy and trade, towns, ecology, etc. needs to be improved; the flow of factor resources across international and cross-regions is not smooth, and the efficiency is not high; the development of intelligence, digitalization, financial empowerment, and new business models and new models are limited ; Rules, standards, and policies are inconsistent and unmatched; the green sustainable development capabilities are not strong enough under the requirements of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and so on.

In the new stage of development, the construction of the new western land-sea corridor should implement the new development concept, take reform and innovation as the driving force, practically transform the development mode and driving mode, and accurately complement the shortcomings in the construction of corridors and logistics facilities, transportation capacity and service quality, and convenient transportation. , Efficient logistics, convenient trade, industrial prosperity, scientific mechanism, etc.

　　To build a new high-level land-sea channel in the western region, the essence is unobstructed, the core is innovation, and the key is coordination. It is necessary to give full play to the enthusiasm of all parties to jointly promote the high-quality development of the new western land-sea channel.

To realize this vision, it is necessary to build a new development pattern around integration and services, actively connect with major national strategies such as the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and integrate into the co-construction of the “Belt and Road”; and strengthen transportation around the construction of integrated transportation channels Logistics supporting and leading functions, promoting the coordinated development of transportation, logistics, industry, and commerce, and smoothing the circulation of resource elements; focusing on the transformation and upgrading of development methods, focusing on the dual control goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, and coordinating innovation-driven and green development The relationship with security and stability; focusing on the improvement of overall service efficiency and efficiency, promote the coordinated development of soft power such as hardware facilities and services.

　　The new western land-sea corridor is not a simple logistics channel, but an economic corridor with deep integration of transportation, logistics, commerce and industry.

As long as we adhere to innovation leadership and high efficiency, market leadership and government promotion, and achieve land-sea coordination and two-way mutual assistance, connect north-south and strengthen radiation, the new western land-sea channel can be built to promote the high-quality development of the western region and build a modern economic system. Important cornerstone.

　　(Author: Fan Yijiang is a researcher at China Academy of Macroeconomics)