A new seaport is planned for Kazakhstan’s Mangystau region. According to AZERTAC, citing Kazakh media, the regional governor, Nurdaulat Kilibay, stated that the Chinese company group Zhongyun International has been chosen as a strategic partner. The regional administration reports that the investment project is valued at $300 million.

“The project will contribute to the creation of a new international transport corridor: China – Kazakhstan – Aktau – Baku – Poti – Europe. Its implementation will reduce cargo delivery times by 7–15 days, cut transport costs by 18–25%, and create new jobs,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port (HFTP) is ongoing in the southern Chinese island province of Hainan, according to the news portal Zhongguo Xinwenwang. On December 18, 2025, the HFTP construction program will officially launch an independent customs operations regime across the entire island.