China’s cargo train to Russia to help revive silk route

BEIJING: China launched a cargo train service from Guangzhou city to Russia on Sunday to boost trade as part of its multi-billion dollar project to revive ancient silk routes.

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A cargo train left south China’s Guangzhou City on Sunday for Vorsino, Kaluzhskaya Oblast, in Russia. It is the latest freight train route China has launched to boost trade ties along the ancient Silk Road, Xinhua news agency reported.

The train will travel 11,500 km over 14 days before reaching its destination. Its cargo includes garments, shoes, hats, cloth, lamps and lanterns, electrical appliances, and electronics.

Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province, has traditionally depended more on maritime freight services. The new cargo train service saves 30 days compared with shipping services, and it costs just a fifth of the price for air transportation.

Kaluzhskaya Oblast has set up a major logistics centre in the Vorsino industrial park to handle 150,000 to 350,000 containers a year. Currently, 26 cities in China offer China-Europe or China-Asia freight train services. Chinese President Xi Jinping has launched the Silk Road, officially called One Belt One Road projects, in 2013 to revive trade and commerce.