A direct freight train departs Hai'an in Nantong for Herat, Afghanistan. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

On Nov 11, a direct freight train carrying 1,300 metric tons of popular products, including household goods and power tools, began its journey from China to Afghanistan. The train left the Hai'an Logistics Park on Oct 31, passed through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and covered a distance of 7,000 kilometers before arriving at its final destination in Herat, Afghanistan.

This new direct route replaces the previous road-based transport, reducing logistics costs by approximately 1 million yuan ($138,217), according to Qian Guanghong, general manager of Nantong International Freight Train.

Hai'an has actively integrated into the Belt and Road Initiative in recent years, launching the first southbound international freight train in the Yangtze River Delta in May 2020. The Hai'an–ASEAN–China-Europe train route has completed 85 trips and carried nearly 7,000 twenty-foot equivalent units, contributing to Nantong's growing two-way trade.

Hai'an has also launched trains to Vietnam, Laos, and Russia, developing multimodal transport platforms and enhancing trade and logistics capabilities. From January to October of this year, the region saw a 36.13 percent increase in rail cargo, with 200.2 million tons of goods handled, and a 46 percent growth in container throughput at the Fengshan terminal.

This efficient land-based international route has provided convenience for foreign trade businesses in Hai'an and surrounding areas, offering speed, cost, capacity, and security advantages. "The stable operation of international freight trains helps promote local products overseas, fosters the development of specialized industrial parks, and guides businesses toward more efficient logistics practices," said Qian.