Chongqing- Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality and Chengdu, capital of Sichuan Province, simultaneously sent out a special train for the China-Europe Railway Express (CR Express) on June 30, heading for Duisburg, Germany, and Lodz, Poland, the transportation hub centers of western and eastern Europe, respectively. 

The train departed from Chengdu International Railway Port and Chongqing Tuanjie Village Station, loaded with electronic products, mechanical parts, and daily necessities. So far, the cumulative number of CR Express in Chengdu and Chongqing has exceeded 20,000, becoming an important milestone in the history of CR Express across the country. 

Pivotal role in the Belt and Road construction

On January 1, 2021, Sichuan and Chongqing joined hands to create the first cross-provincial CR Express in China with the CR Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) brand launched, sending out the first train simultaneously. 

In 2021, both the operated trains and the transport cargo value of the CR Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) ranked first in the country, with more than 4,800 trains and over 200 billion yuan. Besides, its return train accounts for 55% of the total, becoming the only train that achieves a two-way transportation balance. 

Today, the CR Express trains operating in Chengdu and Chongqing exceed 20,000, which accounts for about 40% of the national one, becoming the CR Express train with the largest operating number, most balanced trips, highest freight value, and best cargo structure in the country, playing a pivotal role in the Belt and Road construction. 

Radiate to nearly 100 cities in Asia and Europe 

The CR Express trains operating in Chengdu and Chongqing have expanded to nearly 40 lines, which can radiate 59 domestic railroad stations and 29 ports, benefiting more than 30 cities and regions. Internationally, it can radiate to Europe, Central Asia, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, North America, and North Africa, covering nearly 100 cities in Asia and Europe. 

At present, Chengdu and Chongqing are constructing the international train channel with multi-channel cross-border and multi-port transit, aiming to build an international train channel network and a land-sea freight distribution system with Chengdu and Chongqing as main hubs.

The innovative operation of the CR Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) is a critical initiative to promote the Chengdu-Chongqing economic circle and also indispensable support to building a new development pattern, according to the Chengdu Port and Logistics Office official. Closer and pragmatic cooperation will be carried out in Chengdu and Chongqing in the future to maintain the multi-channel stable operation and enhance the brand market competitiveness and diversified service level. 

Export-oriented industrial cluster

The stable operation of the CR Express in Chengdu and Chongqing has promoted the efficient development of western electronics, automobiles, machinery, and other industries suitable for the railway. Relying on the transport advantages and brand effect, an export-oriented industrial cluster and the characteristic hub economy in Chengdu and Chongqing have taken shape.

For example, the Chongqing International Logistics Hub Park has gathered cold chain, trade, and other pro-railway industries and introduced leading multimodal logistics projects and landed logistics, warehousing, and cold chain import trade projects.

In 2021, the CR Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) drove the imports and exports of Sichuan and Chongqing to the countries along the Belt and Road to increase by 20.4% and 26%, and to the European Union (EU) to increase by 13.2% and 19.5%. 

In the near future, it will accelerate the overseas routes' optimization and the warehouses' construction, innovate some existing projects such as blockchain plus finance and railroad bill of lading, to create the first brand of the CR Express, said Ba Chuanjiang, director of the Chongqing Port and Logistics Office.