A new route of the China-Europe Railway Express, connecting Tongjiang City in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province with Moscow, Russia, was inaugurated on Tuesday.
This marked the departure of 110 standard containers from the northeastern city's intermodal center of the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area.
The cargo, consisting of home appliances such as refrigerators, TVs, and washing machines manufactured in Qingdao and valued at around 12 million yuan (about 1.66 million U.S. dollars), embarked on a journey from Tongjiang port in Heilongjiang to Moscow, the Russian capital after the customs clearance in Qingdao City, east China's Shandong Province. Around 20 days later, this train will arrive in Moscow.
"The China-Europe Railway Express operates effectively and provides stable logistics options for enterprises engaging in exports and imports. The variety of commodities exported from the China-SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area has increased, with high-value-added products like home appliances and vehicles becoming the main exports," stated Zhang Qinghai, director of the Jiaozhou Customs in Qingdao.
To date, the demonstration area's international route network has expanded to include 22 lines reaching 54 cities across 23 SCO and Belt and Road countries. More than 3,400 trains have set off from the demonstration area, carrying 2.633 million tons of goods in 281,000 TEU containers for import and export.
New China-Europe Railway Express route connects northeastern city with Moscow
On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.
Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.
In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.
"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.
"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.
He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.
"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.
Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth
