A Zelostech unmanned logistics vehicle is seen at a facility in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. CHINA DAILY

Global Times-At a time when global trade is facing many uncertainties, China's logistics supply chain has emerged as a stabilizing force, driving international economic cooperation through its robust transportation networks and innovative solutions.

At the heart of this effort lie logistics networks like the Silk Road Maritime (SRM) platform, China's first global shipping logistics services brand and platform, which has not only strengthened China's connectivity with Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) economies but also facilitates smoother trade flows across borders.

As China's first international integrated logistics service platform focusing on maritime transportation serving the BRI, the SRM platform achieved remarkable growth in the first quarter of this year. A total of 1,098 container trips were made on the 128 SRM routes, up 17.7 percent year-on-year, handling 1.27 million 20-foot equivalent units of container throughput, up 13.7 percent, CCTV News reported on Sunday. 

These figures could serve as a microcosm of the accelerated enhancement of China's international logistics supply chain system, signaling China's commitment to enhancing global economic integration through maritime and land-based infrastructure. By modernizing its supply chain infrastructure and streamlining logistics services, China is facilitating smoother trade flows and strengthening international partnerships, contributing to the stability of global supply chains.

Since its launch in 2018, the SRM has grown into a comprehensive logistics network spanning 145 ports across 46 countries and regions, with 132 shipping routes branded under the "SRM" name. This expansive system, supported by leading global ports, shipping companies and logistics firms, exemplifies China's systematic approach to building a more efficient, resilient and interconnected international supply chain. This achievement has driven the international shipping logistics network toward greater efficiency and convenience, making a significant contribution to reducing overall logistics costs.

This network not only connects China with ports in BRI countries but also integrates maritime routes with land-based transportation routes like the China-Europe Railway Express. This has created a comprehensive logistics ecosystem that enhances the efficiency and reliability of global trade.

The integration of logistics services, including port operations, transport scheduling and cargo tracking, through digital and intelligent technologies has increased the transparency and predictability of logistics management, leading to reduced transportation efficiency and service quality. This boosts the competitiveness of Chinese companies and opens up new avenues for industrial collaboration among nations.

More importantly, China's logistics advancements are not solely self-serving but are designed to foster shared growth globally. The BRI's logistics network provides significant benefits to emerging economies. For instance, the launch of the China-Europe Railway Express has enabled landlocked nations in Central Asia and Eastern Europe to access global markets more easily, while African agricultural and mineral products can be exported more efficiently through Chinese investments in ports and railways. This model of trade-driven development creates new economic opportunities and promotes a more balanced global economic landscape.

Washington's tariff policy has brought great uncertainty to the world economy. Kristalina Georgieva, managing director of the IMF, said in a recent speech that, "Uncertainty over trade policies has reached unprecedented levels." Given the challenges faced by global trade, the upgrade of China's logistics chain is particularly of great significance.

In this context, China's efforts to consolidate and build global trade and supply chains are both a safeguard for its own economy and a significant contribution to the global economy. 

China is the center of global manufacturing and a vital hub of the global supply chain. By strengthening its international logistics capabilities, China ensures the smooth flow of raw materials, intermediate products and final products, maintaining the resilience of the global industrial chain even in a turbulent external environment. By adhering to multilateralism and optimizing the global logistics and trade network through the BRI, China has injected stability into the world economy.