China is positioning the inland city of Chongqing as a strategic hub for a high-speed rail corridor connecting Southeast Asia to Europe, offering a faster alternative to traditional sea routes, reported Hong Kong's South China Morning Post.

The overland route, served by daily freight trains, links countries such as Vietnam and Singapore to Germany and Poland. The ASEAN bullet train, launched in 2023, cut transit time between Hanoi and Chongqing to five days, with goods reaching Europe in under two weeks.

Chongqing has emerged as a logistics powerhouse, handling hundreds of shipments daily. It produces about one-third of the world's laptops and a quarter of China's cars, making it a key export centre for electronics and electric vehicles.

Analysts say the initiative has geopolitical motives. The trade war with the US and disruptions during the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in maritime supply chains. China is now promoting a "Middle Corridor" via Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea to bypass Russia and Western-controlled sea lanes.

Despite its promise, the corridor faces hurdles including customs delays, high costs, and infrastructure gaps. Many Belt and Road Initiative routes rely on government subsidies to remain viable for exporters.

Observers believe Chongqing's success could prompt similar investments in western China. If sustained, the model may redefine regional logistics and reduce reliance on maritime chokepoints such as the Suez Canal and the Straits of Hormuz and Malacca.