A China Railway Express cargo train loaded with stainless steel plates by Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group leaves for Moscow from Zhongding Logistics Park on May 4. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The China Railway Express has been a new channel for Shanxi province’s opening up as it has been transporting Shanxi made products to countries along the Belt and Road and promoting Shanxi manufacturing abroad.

Shanxi is an inland province in North China that is home to a number of equipment manufacturing enterprises. Based on Zhongding Logistics Park and Shanxi Fanglue Bonded Inland Port Park where China Railway Express sets off, Shanxi is actively pushing forward the operation of China Railway Express to participate in the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative.

A China Railway Express cargo train loaded with stainless steel plates by Taiyuan Iron & Steel Group left for Moscow from Zhongding Logistics Park on May 4, marking that Shanxi has launched train routes to seven European cities since 2017.

"It's the epitome of China Railway Express operating on the Silk Road," said Bai Bo, an employee of China Railway Taiyuan Group, "Shanxi has so far launched 21 cargo trains since China Railway Express started operation in the province on Feb 15, 2017."

"Compared with sea transportation, China Railway Express greatly saves logistics process and transport time, improving our company’s international competitiveness," said Han Yi, the assistant to the director of the marketing center of Taiyuan Iron and Steel Group.

Since China Railway Express can greatly save logistic cost and time, it has been chosen by more manufacturers. For instance, component manufacturer Shanxi Huaxiang Group has reached an agreement with Shanxi Fanglue Bonded Inland Port Group to export Huangxiang's products abroad and promote the profile of Shanxi manufacturing.

In the future, Shanxi will take measures to increase cargo train routes of China Railway Express as well as operate and develop China Railway Express in a more economical, convenient and intelligent way, according to Ding Yongmin, deputy general manager of China Railway Taiyuan Group.