Chongqing- Chongqing is the first city to achieve weekly train operation along the railway, one of the first cities to launch an international train on the railway, and the first to complete the return trip since the opening of the China-Laos Railway last December.
Prepared one year in advance
It took Chongqing only one day to launch the relevant international train together with Chengdu after opening the China-Laos Railway. This has made Chongqing one of the first cities to launch a train on the railway.
"Chongqing prepared one year in advance," said Ba Chuanjiang, Director of the Port and Logistics Office of Chongqing Municipal People's Government.
Previously, Chongqing did not have a railway directly leading to Laos, and the country's enterprises did not know much about the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC).
Chongqing held various activities, including CCI-ILSTC International Cooperation Forum and online promotion events, thematic seminars, and trade symposiums, enabling enterprises in Laos and other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to learn as much and quickly as possible about the corridor.
In addition, the city has also organized the supply of goods in a targeted manner. It contacted Haojie Motorcycle Co., Ltd. and Qiaqia Melon Seeds Co., Ltd. for transporting popular products in Southeast Asia to Laos by the China-Laos Railway freight train via the corridor, thus playing leading, exemplary, and driving roles.
The train was finally launched successfully, becoming the first train directly leading to Laos via the corridor. Compared with traditional land transportation and land-sea multi-modal transportation, this route could save nearly half the time and more than 20 days, respectively.
The freight train departs from Chongqing Municipality, heading for Vientiane, the Laotian capital. (iChongqing/ Chen Yuling)
Resources to support the return trip
Two-way transportation balance is the key to sustainable, high-quality development of international logistics corridors. The organization of goods to be transported back is key to the balance, and it isn't easy.
In this aspect, Chongqing has retaken the lead.
On December 25, 2021, more than 900 tons of rice and charcoal produced in Laos were transported in 68 TEUs from Vientiane South Station to Chongqing Tuanjie Village Railway Central Station.
It was organized by New Land-Sea Corridor Operation Co., Ltd. That made Chongqing the first city to complete the return trip on China-Laos Railway.
At present, products transported to Laos mainly include auto parts, motorcycle parts, home appliances, and chemicals, while those transported back to Chongqing are mainly bulk commodities like grain and industrial raw materials.
The train of Chongqing has owned such features as 24/7 online services, no reloading, and fast delivery.
First to achieve weekly train operation
Before the Spring Festival, the first train carrying sticky rice of Thailand arrived in Chongqing via China-Laos Railway.
This is the first time Thailand has transported characteristic agricultural products to China through Laos since the opening of the railway.
Ba Chuanjiang introduced that the train's launch further enriched the varieties of goods transported via the railway and ensured regular operation of the train weekly.
As of the end of January 2022, Chongqing has organized 11 departures and five train arrivals via China-Laos Railway. A total of 534 TEUs of goods have been transported, with the value reaching 153 million yuan.
Chongqing ranked among the top in all cities that have launched a train on China-Laos Railway in terms of both the volume and value of goods.
Moreover, it is worth mentioning that Chongqing also leverages its role as the operation organization center of the ILSTC.
It has put a solid effort into inter-provincial consultation and cooperation and jointly launched the train to Vientiane with Shaanxi, Yunnan, Ningxia, Hunan, and other provinces.