A China Railway (CR) Express cargo train is ready to leave Horinger New Area in Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Sept 4. [Photo/hhhtnews]

China Railway (CR) Express's first freight service linking Horinger New Area in Inner Mongolia autonomous region with Europe began on Sept 4 with the train departing from the Shaliang station. 

The train was loaded with 41 containers, carrying mechanical equipment and auto parts, according to the government of Horinger New Area.

The auto parts were produced by Shanghai Hexu Automation Co Ltd. The company, focused on intelligent manufacturing, was set up in the Horinger New Area with 2 billion yuan ($ 292.67 million) invested.

The service will take 15 days to travel the 9,000 kilometer route, leaving China through Alataw Pass in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, one of the key border ports for CR Express.

According to the government, the service will help local companies solve cross-border logistics problems and link Inner Mongolia with the world.

It will also help the area speed up its integration into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and boost trade and investment between China, Central Asia, and Europe, the government said.

China launched its first CR Express freight service in 2011, linking Chongqing in Southwest China and Duisburg in Germany.

By August, the number of CR Express routes reached a new record of 10,000, connecting 48 Chinese cities with 42 cities in 14 countries, according to an article posted on China Railway's website.

The CR Express network, seen as a logistics tool linking Chinese cities and the world through BRI, is improving trade and economic ties among countries involved in the initiative, the article said.

The CR Express cargo train is leaving Horinger New Area for Europe on Sept 4. [Photo/hhhtnews]

Cargo containers on the first CR Express train from Horinger New Area are pictured on Sept 4. [Photo/hhhtnews]