Chongqing - On February 10, a landmark event occurred as a train loaded with ZTE communication equipment departed from Chongqing's Tuanjiecun Railway Station. This marked the launch of the first direct rail freight service between Chongqing and Afghanistan, part of the China-Central Asia railway.

Passing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the train will enter Afghanistan via the Horgos Port and travel to Hairatan. This is also the first-ever dedicated train from Chongqing to Afghanistan, showcasing the expansion of Chongqing's Central Asia railway routes and opening a new overland trade link between China and Afghanistan.

The train loaded with ZTE communication equipment left Chongqing's Tuanjiecun Railway Station, bound for Hairatan, Afghanistan. (Photo/Yuxinou (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.)

The special train, carrying 55 containers, is expected to reach Hairatan in 12 to 15 days. The equipment will help expand Afghanistan's communication network, supporting its economic and social growth.

"Yuxinou created a direct rail service from Chongqing to Afghanistan, cutting transit time by 3 to 5 days and reducing logistics costs by 15% to 20%. This ensures the safe and timely delivery of our products," said Liu Jianfeng, an official from ZTE.

Liu also noted that ZTE plans to strengthen its collaboration with Chongqing's China-Europe and Central Asia railway services, positioning the city as a hub for exporting more of its products to Central Asia.

Since launching its first Central Asia train in 2018, Yuxinou has expanded its routes to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and now Afghanistan. 

"Chongqing's Central Asia railway services continue to grow, offering efficient logistics and bringing quality Chinese products to Central Asia and West Asia," said Wang Xu, manager of the on-site dispatching center of Yuxinou (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.

Chongqing's China-Europe and Central Asia trains have completed over 18,000 trips, covering more than 50 routes and 120 overseas collection and distribution points across Eurasia.

ILSTC freight trips up 4.4 times, value up 2.2 times in January

As part of its efforts to integrate into the Belt and Road Initiative, Chongqing has become a key inland opening-up hub. The city now seamlessly connects the China-Europe trains and the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC).

In January, the ILSTC's cross-border road freight service saw a strong start with 689 trips and a cargo value of 419 million yuan (about USD 57.3 million), up 4.4 and 2.2 times, respectively.

On February 9, at the Chongqing Nanpeng Highway Bonded Logistics Center (Type B), customs officers swiftly processed cross-border road freight vehicles carrying goods such as motorcycle parts and electronics bound for Southeast Asia, including Laos and Vietnam. These goods are expected to reach their destinations in 3 to 4 days.

Chongqing Customs District has implemented a full-process supervision plan, ensuring efficient document checks, inspections, and releases. A "green channel" is available for fresh goods like fruits and agricultural products, with a 24/7 customs clearance guarantee to ensure no delays.

Thanks to these measures, the frequency of cross-border road freight services in the ILSTC has grown from a few trips per month to around 20 per day since its launch in April 2016. Annual trips have increased from 100 to over 5,000, with goods ranging from machinery to electronics, automobiles, motorcycles, fruits, and more.