The first Jinhua-Vientiane freight train departs from Jinhua South Railway Station in Jinhua, Zhejiang on Dec 21. [Photo/WeChat account: jhfabu]
Jinhua-Vientiane freight train 79565, loaded with exports from China, set off from Jinhua South Railway Station in Jinhua, East China's Zhejiang province, for Vientiane, capital of Laos, on Dec 21.
It was the first freight train from Jinhua to Laos on the China-Laos Railway, which marked a milestone for Jinhua in expanding its trade route to countries along the Belt and Road Initiative.
The train carried 70 TEUs of agricultural machinery products, daily necessities, and small household appliances, valued at $2 million. It is expected to finish the 3,328-kilometer trip in four days.
Before the opening of the China-Laos railway, the city's exports to Laos mainly relied on road transportation, which was small in scale and took more time.
The new trade route between China and Laos has provided a new low-cost and convenient international transportation option for Zhejiang commodities to the hinterland of the Indo-China Peninsula.
Moving forward, Jinhua will make full use of the China-Laos Railway to promote international and domestic economic cooperation with cities along the railway and further open its economy.
