Chongqing - On April 20, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality launched its first scheduled freight train service to Central Asia. Departing from Tuanjiecun Station, this inaugural service marks a milestone in Chongqing's efforts to strengthen its international logistics network.

On April 20, Southwest China's Chongqing municipality launched its first scheduled freight train service to Central Asia. (Photo/Yuxinou (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.)

The Central Asia freight train service is now operating with a fixed schedule of two trains per month. The route departs through the Khorgos port, traveling across Kazakhstan before reaching Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, in approximately 12 days. The entire journey spans about 4,700 kilometers.

The train's inaugural shipment includes over 2,000 tons of Chongqing-produced polyester chips, valued at 14 million yuan (about USD 1.9 million). "With the regular operation of the freight train, our export cycle to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian regions will be reduced by 7 days, and we expect to save nearly 4 million yuan annually in transportation costs," said a representative from Chongqing Wankai New Material Technology Co., Ltd., the supplier of the cargo.

In addition, the railway authorities have implemented several facilitative measures. "The scheduled freight train operates with fixed times, fixed routes, and a fixed schedule. This efficient service provides priority customs clearance, zero delays in transportation, and excellent overall cost-effectiveness," said Xu Meiqiong from the freight department of China Railway Chengdu Bureau Group Co., Ltd., highlighting its crucial role in supporting foreign trade enterprises in Southwest China.

Trade between Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries, as well as Chongqing, has been steadily increasing. "This train will boost the efficiency of Chongqing enterprises' freight time to Central Asia by over 30%, helping local manufacturers expand their market share in the region," emphasized Fu Kun, sales manager at Yuxinou (Chongqing) Supply Chain Management Co., Ltd.

Furthermore, Chongqing Customs District has enhanced cooperation with the train operation platform, closely monitoring the train's departure schedule in advance. It has implemented a "7×24 hours" reservation system for customs clearance protection and guided enterprises to take full advantage of facilitation measures such as early declaration and railway express clearance to ensure seamless customs processing.

Going forward, Chongqing-made polyester chips, new energy vehicles, intelligent equipment, and other products will benefit from the Asia-Europe "golden channel." This will also provide a stronger logistics backbone for the upcoming Second China-Central Asia Summit that will be hosted by Kazakhstan in 2025.