[Explanation] Urumqi, located in northwestern China, is one of the first cities in China to build a national-level China-Europe railway assembly center demonstration project.
Recently, the reporter walked into the Central Europe Express (Urumqi) assembly center in the Urumqi International Dry Port Area. Thousands of containers were neatly stacked on the freight yard like Tetris. With the sound of sirens, freight trains continued to pass by on the railway tracks in the distance. .
[Concurrent] Zhong Hehua, Deputy Director of Development Service Center of Urumqi International Land Port District
The China-Europe Express (Urumqi) assembly center is an important functional platform for the dry port area to promote the operation of the China-Europe Express and implement the construction of the "Belt and Road". Reduce costs and increase efficiency.
[Explanation] In recent years, the China-Europe Express (Urumqi) assembly center has been expanded and now has 7 single-line 850-meter complete cargo operation lines, which can meet the direct formation of international express trains and the transportation needs of the China-Europe Express West Corridor in the near and long term. The annual shipping capacity can reach 7,000 trains, and the annual cargo transportation capacity is about 10 million tons.
"Bring it out" and "pull it back" to allow the goods to operate in a closed loop, effectively improving the efficiency of China-Europe express trains.
[Concurrent] Zhong Hehua, Deputy Director of Development Service Center of Urumqi International Land Port District
In the first half of this year, the return rate was about 20% to 30%, and there has been a substantial increase. The main reason is that we are expanding the import of asphalt and importing some raw materials and products, and actively cooperate with overseas manufacturers. A cooperation and contact, enrich our entire imported varieties.
[Explanation] Zhu Jia is the manager of the business department of an international trading company in Urumqi. She told the reporter that the consolidation mode allows containers to be loaded and shipped together with other companies, and everyone shares the freight, which can reduce transportation costs.
The company mainly engages in domestic and foreign trade through the China-Europe train.
[Concurrent] Zhu Jia, Business Manager of an International Trading Company in Urumqi
Currently there are two routes in operation. The first one is the export of tomato sauce, which is entrusted to the China-Europe Railway Express for export, which will be exported to Italy and other countries by sea-rail combined transport.
The annual quantity is about 10,000 tons, and about eight to ten China-Europe express trains will be sent. The second is to export light industrial products and (automotive) parts through the export of China-Europe express trains. The return journey is mainly to purchase some Chemical products form an overall cycle.
[Explanation] Up to now, the China-Europe Railway Express (Urumqi) assembly center has opened 21 routes, reaching 26 cities in 19 countries in Central Asia and Europe, serving more than 10 provinces and cities in China, and carrying more than 200 types of goods. More than 4600 trains have been opened in total.
These Mercedes-Benz “steel camels” on the “Belt and Road” have become a booster for the world economy and are bringing visible and tangible benefits to countries and regions along the route.
Li Mingfei reports from Urumqi
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]