The first cross-border cold chain container train loaded with imported Thai fruit heads for inland China on May 21. [Photo by Hu Ruiyang/gxnews.com.cn]

Pingxiang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region opened a cross-border cold chain container train for importing Thai fruit on May 21, adding another channel for the fruit trade between China and ASEAN countries.

This is the second international cold chain container train after the China-Vietnam cold chain fruit train was launched at Pingxiang Railway Station Port. The train mainly imports Thai durian, mangosteen, and other Southeast Asian specialty fruit. When passing through Dong Dang, Vietnam, it can be directly connected to the designated supervision site at Pingxiang Railway Station for inspection with no need to be replaced by land transportation.

After inspection and release, the train can leave for the inland, which greatly shortens the time of customs clearance at the port, as well as promotes the development of cross-border logistics, the fruit trade, and the fruit processing industry.

In February 2020, Pingxiang (Railway) Port was officially approved as a designated site for inbound fruit and began carrying out inbound fruit business. In April, Pingxiang Railway Port was approved by the General Administration of Customs as a port of Thai fruit exported to China via a third country.

In recent years, Pingxiang has vigorously developed its cross-border fruit trade. In 2019, the total value of imports and exports reached 121.91 billion yuan ($17.12 billion), ranking first in Guangxi, while the fruit import and export volume of Pingxiang ranked first in the country for the seventh consecutive year.

The launch of this train will promote port economic development and promote the development of land-rail international transport. It is also of great significance to enhance cross-regional and inter-regional interconnection.