Shaanxi province will accelerate the integrated development of ports, trade and industry, and better fuel the growth of an open economy, Governor Zhao Gang said at a news conference in the provincial capital Xi'an on Monday.

"During the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period, we will take a more proactive part in integrating into and serving the new development paradigm, and deepen our engagement in the development of the Belt and Road Initiative," he said.

Against this broader policy direction, logistics connectivity is expected to play a central role. The China Railway Express (Xi'an) will expand routes and upgrade services to support international trade flows.

The service will further integrate into the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route, better connect with sea-rail intermodal transport routes, and facilitate more trips through the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor to build a diversified corridor network, according to Wang Xiao, executive vice-governor of Shaanxi.

At the same time, authorities said, efforts will focus not only on expanding routes but also on improving institutional and operational efficiency across the system.

Wang said the province will take part in formulating and revising international rail intermodal transport standards, while improving collection and distribution systems and advancing full-train operation models.

New services will also be introduced in areas such as intelligent supervision, customs facilitation, cross-border settlement and digital finance.

"We will promote the development of the express toward higher quality, better efficiency and greater security. We will continue to intensify efforts to stabilize transport volume, improve quality, boost trade and attract industries, support the building of a high-standard economic circle for the China-Europe Railway Express, and contribute more to its high-quality development," Wang said.

In the first quarter of 2026, the service operated 1,631 train trips, up 7.4 percent year-on-year, and surpassed the milestone of 1,000 trips 19 days earlier than the previous year, according to local authorities.

The service now operates 26 domestic assembly routes, with cargo sources covering the Yangtze River Delta, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and inland areas of western and central China.

It has 18 international routes covering 45 countries and regions. Three full-schedule services from Xi'an to Duisburg, Prague and Budapest run on a regular basis. The proportion of high value-added cargo, such as auto parts, photovoltaic modules and lithium batteries, continues to rise.

The China (Shaanxi) Pilot Free Trade Zone will also implement 17 reforms during the next five years. For example, the zone will provide convenient entry and exit services for managerial and technical personnel of foreign-invested enterprises and their family members.

It will also offer visa and residence permit facilitation for high-level foreign talent and their research support personnel to invest, start businesses, work, give lectures and conduct economic and trade exchanges in China, according to Meng Jun, deputy director of the zone's administrative office, during a news conference in early April.

Wholly foreign-owned enterprises will also be allowed to establish for-profit vocational skills training institutions. Renowned overseas arbitration institutions will be permitted to set up business offices. Foreign investment will be encouraged in the establishment of global or regional research and development centers, Meng added.