A freight train bound for Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, departed from Fangshan District, Beijing, at approximately 10 a.m. on March 19. This marked the official launch of Beijing’s first China-Central Asia freight train service.

The train, loaded with 90 standard containers of auto parts, medicines and other goods from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, left from the special line of the Liulihe Business Outlet of the Beijing Railway Logistics Center, which is affiliated with the China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd. It will exit China through Horgos Port before arriving in Tashkent in about 14 days.

Officials from Fengtai Customs affiliated to Beijing Customs District conduct inspections on the export goods carried by the train. (Photo provided by Beijing Customs)

The China-Central Asia Railway Express provides a new platform for Beijing to integrate further into the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. Therefore, the China Railway Beijing Group Co., Ltd. has implemented prioritized measures in scheduling, empty train allocation, loading, formation, and dispatch to build a “fast track” for the train. Additionally, Beijing Customs District has proactively coordinated with enterprises and adopted facilitation measures such as appointment-based clearance and advance declaration to ensure the train’s smooth operation.