China to host sustainable transport forum, SCO meeting in Tianjin

China will host a major international conference on sustainable transportation alongside the 12th Meeting of Transport Ministers of Shanghai Cooperation Organization member states in Tianjin from June 30 to July 2, officials said on Thursday.

The event is co-organized by the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center under China's Ministry of Transport and the Tianjin municipal government. It will feature two high-level meetings: the Global Sustainable Transport Forum Senior Officials' Meeting and the SCO Transport Ministers' Meeting. Both aim to deepen regional connectivity and global cooperation on sustainable and inclusive mobility.

"This year marks the 'Year of China' in the SCO, and these meetings are a core part of China's rotating presidency," said Wang Xingxing, deputy director of the ministry's department of international cooperation. "They will help enrich the outcomes of China's chairmanship, strengthen practical cooperation in transport, and push forward a closer SCO community with a shared future."

According to Wang, the GSTF meeting will bring together senior transport officials from multiple countries and regions to focus on three key areas: establishing a framework for global sustainable transport cooperation, presenting a new development report on global sustainable transport, and sharing a collection of best practice case studies. The discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for the next full edition of the Global Sustainable Transport Forum.

The SCO Transport Ministers' Meeting will welcome ministers and senior officials from SCO member and observer countries, as well as the SCO secretary-general.

Key topics on the SCO agenda include improving cross-border transport connectivity, building more stable and resilient logistics chains, and facilitating international road transport. China is also expected to propose a new initiative called "Silk Road Stations" — small-scale rest and service facilities for cross-border truck drivers offering warm meals, hot showers, and safe rest areas.

"This is a practical initiative to meet real needs, offering tangible benefits to drivers engaged in regional transport," Wang said.

Delegates will also visit Tianjin's automated container terminal and other transport hubs showcasing China's shift toward low-carbon, digital, and resilient infrastructure.

Xie Hui, deputy director of the Global Sustainable Transport Innovation and Knowledge Center, said the conference will feature 22 exemplary case studies from around the world. These include efforts in Brazil to improve transport infrastructure resilience, Singapore's maritime decarbonization strategies, and the electrification of public transport systems across the Asia-Pacific.

"These examples demonstrate the shared values of safety, efficiency, accessibility, and sustainability across both developed and developing economies," Xie said. "They are concrete tools that countries can learn from and adapt to their specific contexts."

Over the past year, China has stepped up efforts to shape global transport solutions. The Ministry of Transport has advanced green and digital transformation, upgraded public transit services, and strengthened safety regulations.

"Our goal is to build a modern, efficient, smart, green, and resilient transport system to support Chinese modernization and benefit the world," Wang said.