The strategic central province of Hubei, traversed by over a thousand kilometers of the Yangtze River trunk line, serves as a critical national transport hub. It is the convergence point for a super "mi"-shaped high-speed rail network radiating across the country, complemented by an extensive expressway system. Additionally, it hosts Asia's first dedicated cargo airport. Hubei is the only province in China simultaneously developing major air cargo, Yangtze River shipping, and international rail freight hubs. This unparalleled connectivity positions it as a pivotal link between major economic zones and nearly a third of the nation's population, strengthening both domestic and international economic circulation.
A recent visit to Hubei's logistics frontline revealed the vitality of these networks. At the Maoping Port anchorage near the Three Gorges Dam, large cargo ships await passage. The Three Gorges ship lock, one of the world's busiest inland waterway locks, facilitates the smooth transit of vessels, handling a record 170 million tons of cargo in 2025. Concurrently, the ship lift accommodated 632,000 passenger trips, a ten-year high. Overall, the Yangtze River's cargo throughput is expected to exceed 4.2 billion tons in 2025, underscoring its role as a barometer of economic health and a boost to manufacturing competitiveness along its banks.
Meanwhile, the Ezhou Huahu Airport, Asia's first professional cargo hub, has rapidly expanded its global reach. Within 34 months of its 2022 opening, it established over 100 international cargo routes. The airport's massive transfer center, supported by extensive automation, efficiently handles goods, with peak operations seeing a cargo plane take off or land every three minutes. It has created an "8-hour global traffic circle," facilitating exports of electronics and machinery and imports like fresh fruit. By connecting with seven remote cargo stations and integrating air, land, and rail transport, it links eastern China's R&D capabilities with central China's manufacturing strength.
On land, the railway network demonstrates robust activity. The Haoji Railway, a vital channel for transporting coal from north to south, has seen steady growth since its 2019 launch. Its largest hub station, Xiangzhou North, handles over 70% of coal shipments to three central provinces. Nearby, the Xiangyang North marshaling yard, a top-tier facility, processes over 25,000 freight cars daily, distributing goods nationwide. The road network has also been enhanced. A key expansion project on the Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Expressway's Hubei section, completed in early February, increased capacity from four to eight lanes, significantly improving traffic flow for the thousands of trucks, including those from major logistics firms like
Supported by this comprehensive multi-modal transport system, Hubei's unique logistical advantages are being fully leveraged. In 2025, the province's road freight volume reached 1.954 billion tons, a 5.67% year-on-year increase. With its highway mileage expanding and several new Yangtze River crossings under construction, Hubei continues to strengthen its role as a central pillar supporting China's high-quality economic development.