Recently, temperatures have been continuously rising, and the East China International Intermodal Port (ECIIP) is also a busy and bustling sight. One after another, China-Laos international freight trains depart from the ECIIP after clearing Jinhua Customs, embarking on a journey of thousands of miles to Vientiane, Laos.

On December 21, 2021, the first Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe (YXE) China Railway Express (CRE) freight train departed from the Jindong Platform on the China-Laos Railway (Jinhua-Vientiane). The China-Laos Railway offers economic and convenient international freight logistics options for the city and surrounding areas due to its advantages of shorter transportation time, lower logistics costs, good safety, and environmental friendliness. It has quickly become the preferred choice for trade logistics between China and Laos in the surrounding regions, driven by strong export demands. The service extends to Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, and further into Southeast Asia, facilitating a steady flow of “Made in China” goods from Jinhua and its surrounding areas to the ASEAN region.

Following the comprehensive implementation of the RCEP policy, further tariff reductions have stimulated the growth potential of freight volume for international freight trains between China and Laos. From January to June, the YXE from Jindong Platform dispatched 1,304 TEUs via the China-Laos Railway, a year-on-year increase of 114%. The total cargo value was close to 250 million RMB, with the weight exceeding one thousand tons.

The person in charge of the Jindong platform for the YXE train expressed that the China-Laos Railway service has seen significant upgrades. The train now offers a less-than-container-load (LCL) service, allowing multiple customers to share a container. This development provides a convenient transportation solution for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with a direct gateway to the Southeast Asian market. It also promotes closer cooperation between ASEAN countries and optimizes the benefits of the China-Laos Railway. (By Wang Tesang)