China Outlines 2030 and 2035 Goals for Modern Integrated Transportation

China’s Ministry of Transport, alongside three other government agencies, has released the 15th Five-Year Plan for the Development of Integrated Transportation Services, according to People's Daily. The policy sets key targets for 2030 and 2035, aiming to establish a modern integrated transportation service network. By 2030, China intends to form a multi-tiered, high-quality public travel system. By 2035, authorities aim to finalize national and global transport and logistics circles, facilitating seamless passenger journeys and efficient cargo distribution across regional and international supply chains.

The plan establishes strategic priorities for upgrading China's infrastructure from physical expansion toward operational efficiency, service quality, and regional integration. By emphasizing intermodal passenger transit, multimodal freight transport, and urban-rural postal-logistics integration, the policy aims to lower logistics costs and improve daily commuting, supporting China's push for a unified national market.

China’s Ministry of Transport, together with three other state departments, has issued the "15th Five-Year Plan for Integrated Transportation Service Development," setting out official benchmarks for the nation's transit and logistics networks through 2035, according to a report by People's Daily. The policy framework establishes a two-stage roadmap for national transportation modernization. By 2030, China aims to basically establish a modern integrated transportation service system alongside a multi-tiered, high-quality public travel service framework designed to deliver enhanced passenger experiences. Looking ahead to 2035, the policy targets a fully modernized service system, marked by the maturity of the "National 123 Travel Traffic Circle" and the "Global 123 Express Freight Logistics Circle" to better facilitate both passenger travel and cargo logistics. To achieve these goals, the plan mandates enhanced collaborative integration across multiple transport sectors. Key operational initiatives include upgrading intermodal passenger transfers, improving the operational efficiency of comprehensive transportation hubs, and fostering deeper integration between transportation and tourism. The document also calls for elevating the development of small-scale passenger car rentals, expanding multimodal freight operations, and advancing integrated rural passenger, freight, and postal services. In urban areas, the guidelines emphasize sustainable and quality-driven transit development tailored to local conditions. Specific measures focus on building multi-tiered urban public transport networks, raising operational standards for urban rail transit systems, and shortening metropolitan commuting times. Additionally, the plan highlights stronger policy guarantees for public transit, coordinated development between traditional taxis and online ride-hailing services, and improved accessibility features for elderly and disabled commuters. By moving beyond simple capacity expansion to target operational synergies across rail, highway, air, and postal channels, the policy underscores China's broader effort to optimize supply chain efficiency and enhance regional mobility.