The China-Europe freight train sounds its whistle as it sets off. [Photo by Yuan Lipeng/Hebei Economic Daily]
The China-Europe freight train (Shijiazhuang, Hebei province - Hungary - Serbia) departing from Shijiazhuang International Land Port sounded its whistle on May 9, marking the normalization of such freight trains from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to Hungary and Serbia.
Subsequently, this route will have stable schedules of one regular run per week.
The train, loaded with machinery, carbon steel fittings, automotive parts, and other goods from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, transporting 110 standard containers valued at 32 million yuan ($4.43 million), will depart from the Alashankou Port in Xinjiang.
It is expected to arrive in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, 18 days later. After a brief transfer and distribution, some goods will continue their journey by train to Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
Liu Ruiling, general manager of Hebei International Land Port Co., Ltd., said that the regular operation of the China-Europe freight train route is a measure to promote the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative and cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries. This initiative will help drive the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region's advantageous capacities in automobiles, photovoltaic components, and machinery to better integrate into global markets, transforming mutual trust and friendly cooperation into tangible outcomes and providing strong support for cooperation in areas such as production capacity between China and Europe.
As the largest and only international land port in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to achieve the regular operation of China-Europe freight trains, Shijiazhuang International Land Port has taken the lead in operating China-Europe freight trains to Hungary, Serbia, and other Central and Eastern European countries.
In recent years, Shijiazhuang International Land Port has expanded its "circle of friends," connecting 17 international routes with eight entry and exit ports, reaching more than 50 countries and regions in Asia and Europe.
Up to now, over 1500 China-Europe freight trains have run, effectively promoting high-level opening-up in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.
Editor: Song Lifang
