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The cargo train will set off from Urumqi for Naples in Italy.[Photo by Jiang Xiao/xinjiangnet.com.cn] |
A train carrying tomato sauce left Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, for Italy's Naples on Feb 26, the first between Xinjiang and Naples.
The train will pass through Horgos Pass before it travels on a sea-rail combined route. The trip takes 25 days via the 10,500 kilometers-long route, passing through Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Italy.
Nan Jun, deputy general manager of Xinjiang Xintie International Logistics Company, said that it saved 25 days compared to the traditional marine transport and it reduced the transportation cost by 20 percents.
The train has opened up another faster, safer and more convenient way between Europe and China.
With this new route there are altogether 19 China-Europe cargo trains setting off from Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, connecting 24 cities in 17 countries in Middle Asia and Europe.
When first put into operation on May 26, 2016, Urumqi had one train every week. Now it has three such trains each day.
More than 200 varieties of goods including daily necessities, mechanical equipment, building materials and electronic components are sent to Middle Asia and Europe.
Urumqi has formed a partnership with around 200 import and export enterprises. It not only serves local companies, but also companies in 10 regions including Guangdong, Zhejiang, Sichuan, Beijing, Shanghai and Chongqing.
In 2018, railway department in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region will open new routes, improve the brand influence of China-Europe cargo train and offer strong support in transport to the Belt and Road Initiative.
Urumqi-Naples train is the 1000th China-Europe cargo train since put into operation.