A freight train departs from Yinchuan, capital of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui autonomous region, bound for Budapest, Hungary. [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]
A freight train loaded with fiberglass departed from the Ningxia Hui autonomous region on May 26; it exited through Alashankou, and will pass through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and Poland to arrive in Budapest, capital of Hungary, achieving breakthrough freight train service between Ningxia and inland areas of Europe.
Ningxia is making full use of the policy advantages of the Yinchuan Free Trade Zone and the stable operation of the freight train to create a new model: "freight train + free trade zone".
It is scheduled to travel around 8,500 km and arrive at its destination in 21 days. [Photo provided to seeningxia.com]
The freight train will run for 8,500 kilometers over 21 days, about 20 days less than needed for shipping by sea.
Ningxia enterprises can now not only enjoy fast and efficient freight service, but can also benefit from fee and tax reductions in the free trade zone, which shortens delivery time, speeds up circulation of goods, improves efficiency of capital turnover, and lowers operation costs.
The launch of the freight train will help Ningxia seize the opportunities of the Belt and Road Initiative to improve its level of opening up both internally and externally.
Meanwhile, Ningxia's export-oriented economy will be promoted by expanding the train's operation area as well as its brand influence.