China launches direct freight rail route to Afghanistan via Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan

The first direct train route has been launched from the Chinese city of Chongqing, from Tuanjiecun station, to the city of Hairatan in Afghanistan. The train, loaded with 55 containers, will cross the state border at the Khorgos checkpoint in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and reach its destination after passing through the territory of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the Xinhua news agency reported. According to the information, this is the first direct train route connecting the metropolis in southwestern China with Afghanistan. The entire journey is expected to take 12-15 days. According to ZTE employee Liu Jianfeng, the new route will reduce the delivery time of cargo by 3-5 days compared to road transportation, and logistics costs will be reduced by 15-20%. As specified, by now, more than 18,000 freight trains have been sent ...