International shipping route re-opens

An international shipping route linking China, Russia and the Republic of Korea resumed service on Wednesday, and is expected to promote economic exchange in Northeast Asia.

The launching ceremony of a new international shipping rout linking China's Hunchun, Russia's Zarubino and the Sokchovia Republic of Korea is held in Hunchun city of Northeast China's Jilin province on March 21, 2012. [Photo/Xinhua]

The 585-kilometer oceangoing shipping route is the shortest route linking China’s Hunchun, ROK’s Sokchovia and Russia’s Zarubino and Vladivostock.

The liner will run twice a week and it can transport 750 passengers and 182 containers.

The route was first opened in 2000 but was shut down in 2010 because of the shipping companies financial difficulties.

Hunchun of Jilin province is located on the lower Tumen River and borders Russia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. It’s an important channel for China because it’s the closest way for Northeast China to reach the east coast of the Korean Peninsula and the west coast of Japan. It is also a gateway to North America and Northern Europe.