First China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Train Departed From Chongqing

Chongqing- Central Asia is seen as integral to the stability and development of China's western regions due to its geographical proximity, and the regional connectivity between Central Asia and China with Europe and the Middle East has been enhanced through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects. China will steadily expand institutional opening up with regard to rules, regulations, management, and standards, accelerate the transformation into a trader of quality, and promote the high-quality development of the BRI, said President Xi at the opening of the 20th CPC National Congress. 

Loaded with more than 120 tons of Chinese tea, the first China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan combined train of the China-Europe Railway Express (Yixinou) departed from Tuanjiecun Station in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on October 20. This train will be transported to Xinjiang by railway, then transferred by road to the Irkeshtam Port. It is expected to arrive in Uzbekistan after 15-20 days. 

At present, China is the largest trading partner of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. Data released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows that the two-way trade between China and Uzbekistan exceeded US$8 billion in 2021, approached US$5 billion in the first half of this year, and is on course to reach the US$10-billion goal set for 2022.  

The first China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan train of China-Europe Railway Express (Yixinou) departed from Chongqing Tuanjiecun Station on October 20. (Photo provided to iChongqing)

Saving three to five days from Chongqing to Uzbekistan

"This is the first China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan highway-railway intermodal customized train we operated based on market demand," said Zhang Ruiyu, sales manager of the marketing center of Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd. 

According to Zhang, the traditional lines leave the country via the "railway+rail" combined transportation method from the Xinjiang Horgos Port, while the new line adopts the container "railway+highway" international multimodal mode, leaves the country through Irkeshtam Port, one of the westernmost ports in China. In this way, both transport distance and time can be reduced, and the traffic pressure at railway ports will also be relieved.

In close cooperation with the customs, railroad, and other departments, the trip realized the organic combination of the advantages of railway and highway transport, said the Chongqing Port and Logistics Office representative. 

Through one consignment, payment, document, and insurance, the transportation of goods jointly completed by highway and railway section carriers improved time efficiency and boasted the freight price edges, saving three to five days of transportation time in the whole process compared with the traditional one. 

The New International Land-sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC). (iChongqing file photo)

"Our overall logistics and transportation costs have been effectively controlled," said a customer using the service. He expected that in the future, locally produced goods, like light industrial manufacturing, smart home appliances, and automobiles, could enter the Central Asian market in large quantities and vice versa, with the stable operation of this route. 

Open international trade logistics corridor in Europe and Asia

With the regular operation of the China-Europe Railway Express, the economy and trade between China and Europe have grown comprehensively. The north and middle channels are now in mature operation, and their carrying capacity is relatively saturated.

The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan line is an integral part of the south channel of the China-Europe Railway Express. The operation this time will further complete the transportation system of China-Europe and Central Asia trains, open the international trade logistics channel in the Eurasian region, and share the cargo volume of north and middle channels to a certain extent. 

So far, the National Development and Reform Commission of China, Kyrgyzstan's and Uzbekistan's Transport Ministries signed an agreement on the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railroad (section on the territory of Kyrgyzstan) at this year's Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit. 

When the project is completed, it will efficiently connect the south and middle channels of the China-Europe Railway Express and promote the deep integration of China with international markets, such as Central Asia, South Asia, West Asia, and Europe. It will also support China-Europe Railway Express to accelerate the overseas channel network pattern of open, efficient, multi-way extension and sea-land interconnection.