Panjin-Belarus freight train debuts in Erenhot

The China-Europe freight train travels through Erenhot, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

As part of China-Europe Railways, the first Panjin-Belarus freight train recently arrived in Inner Mongolia's Erenhot for inspection and quarantine procedures.

The train departed from Jinbowan Station in Panjin, Liaoning province for Minsk in Belarus. It included goods of 5,967 tons loaded in 45 carriages, with a total value of US$790,000.

As the first Panjin-Belarus train was en route, China-Europe Railways increased its services to nine routes including Zhengzhou-Europe, Chongqing-Europe, Suzhou-Europe, and Tianjin-Europe.

In October 2016, the National Development and Reform Commission announced the construction of the China-Europe Railway transforming Inner Mongolia's Erenhot, Manzhouli and Ulanqab as the main hub cities along the route.

The Erenhot-Rotterdam railway is in service for exporting products to Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Germany, Austria, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy and the UK.

The routes have been emphasized as part of developing China's Belt and Road Initiative.