Photo taken on May 21, 2018 shows a cross-border e-commerce freight train from Hamburg of Germany arriving in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo/Xinhua)

As China-Europe freight trains boost trade between China and Central Asia countries, more and more traders choose to transport goods to China by the returning trains of the China-Europe freight rail service network, Xinhuanet.com reported on Jun.16.

According to a sales representative of a well-known textile company in Uzbekistan, instead of taking regular trains to China via Russia, many companies now have their goods carried to China directly by the China-Europe freight trains returning to China after trips to Europe, which helps reduce transport time significantly and also lowers transport costs.

“The Chinese market is very attractive. In recent years, there have been constant improvements in transportation and logistics in China and Central Asia countries, which have brought great convenience to both sides,” said the sales representative.

With the number of China-Europe freight trains growing rapidly, the returning trains have helped form a steady supply of goods in such fields as auto parts, mechanical equipment, daily necessities, food, and wood, according to China Railway Corporation.

At present, over 90 percent of the goods transported between China and Uzbekistan by Sinotrans Landbridge Transportation Co., Ltd. are carried by the China-Europe freight trains, with the trains returning to China taking high-quality cotton yarn, liquorices, and leather from Uzbekistan to China, said Wang Jie, chief representative at the Tashkent representative office of Sinotrans Landbridge Transportation Co., Ltd.

The Urumqi center of China-Europe freight trains has sent more than 2,000 trains to Europe since it was put into operation in 2016, with the trains reaching 26 cities in 19 countries of Central Asia and Europe, said Nan Jun, vice general manager of Xinjiang Xintie International Logistics Co., Ltd.

“Landlocked countries in Central Asia regard China-Europe freight trains as main ways of transportation for trade with China,” said Nan, adding that the returning trains of Urumqi center now bring to China imported goods from Finland and quality wheat from Kazakhstan.