China-Europe railway now operational

The 11,179-kilometer Yuxinou (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) International Railway, honored as the 'modern Silk Road', was officially put into operation on Aug.31. It starts in Chongqing, crosses the Alataw Pass on the border of China into Kazakhstan, and then travels through Russia, Belarus and Poland before arriving in Duisburg, Germany.

Via the new railway, it only takes 16 days on average to transport goods from China to European backland, 20 days shorter than ocean shipping from China's eastern areas. Thus, the railway is more suitable for transporting high-value goods with a limited shelf life. Moreover, from Chongqing to Europe, customs declaration and inspection will only be processed one time, adding much increased convenience for shippers.

To coincide with the opening of the Yuxinou (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) International Railway, an international Trans-Eurasia Rail Logistics Company was co-established by Chongqing, Russia, the Republic of Tajikistan and Germany, and other partners on Apr. 12 with an initial investment of US$6 million.

The main role of the company will be to organize regular rail container shipments between Chongqing in China and Duisburg in Germany. It will also provide freight forwarding, transportation price negotiation and transportation security services.