Chang'an China-Europe freight trains inject new impetus into cooperation and development

China-Central Asia cooperation has brought tangible benefits to many nations in the region, stimulating greater trade, logistics cooperation and infrastructure development. Last year, the first China-Central Asia Summit was successfully held in Xi'an and the Chang'an China-Europe freight train continues its vital role as a cross-continental transport link.

At the Xi'an International Port in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the Chang'an China-Europe freight train, loaded with daily necessities, photovoltaic equipment, new energy vehicles and other goods, began its westward journey. It is expected to arrive at its destination – Kazakhstan's former capital Almaty – in seven days.

Over the past year, freight train services have reached a breakthrough in operations, running regularly from Xi'an to Almaty and Tashkent in Uzbekistan, covering five Central Asian countries.

In February this year, Kazakhstan's terminal in Xi'an officially came into operation. The time from Xi'an to Tashkent was shortened from 13 to 9 days, and the entire journey of the Trans-Caspian Railway was shortened from 25 days to 12 days.

YUAN XIAOJUN, General Manager of Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation "The Almaty China-Kazakhstan Logistics Station project that we are cooperating on with Kazakhstan Railway has begun construction and is expected to be completed within the year. Currently, the China-Europe freight train Chang'an Trans-Caspian line operates five times a week, and we plan to implement daily services from June."

Nursulu, from Kazakhstan, has deeply felt the changes of the past year. She works for a container logistics business in Xi'an. Over the past two years, the number of containers has increased from less than 3,000 to tens of thousands now.

NURSULU ZHOLBASKANOVA, Kazakhstan Container Logistics Practitioners "Since the China-Central Asia Summit, our company's monthly transaction volume has increased. We used to send 1 to 15 trains per month, but now we send more than 60 trains every month."

With the smooth operation of the Chang'an China-Europe freight trains, distinctive Central Asian products are constantly being introduced to new markets.

In addition, the China-Central Asia International Cultural Tourism Train from Xi'an to Almaty will begin operations at the end of June or early July this year, further promoting cultural exchanges between China and Central Asian countries.