Beijing, April 8 (IANS): The first regular cargo train linking southwest China's Chongqing Municipality and Duisburg in Germany departed Tuesday morning, marking the latest step in the two countries' building of a Silk Route economic belt.
The rail link begins in Chongqing, crosses the border into Kazakhstan through Alashankou border in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and passes through Russia, Belarus and Poland before reaching its terminus in Duisburg at the heart of Europe, Xinhua reported.
The cargo train takes about two weeks to reach its last destination in Germany, and costs 80 percent less than air transportation.
China and Germany are at opposite ends of the ancient Silk Route linking east Asia and Europe through central Asia.
This rail link will serve as engines for economic growth.
The two countries, linked by the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe international railway, should strengthen cooperation in building the Silk Route economic belt, Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited the port of Duisburg last month, said.
Duisburg is world's biggest inland harbour and a European transport and logistics hub.
At least 114 trains are expected to exchange diversified products between the two countries within this year.