The Chinese capital of Beijing marked a significant milestone in expanding its trade connections with Central Asia on Wednesday morning, with the launch of its first ever freight train to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.
The train, carrying 90 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) filled with exports, departed from Beijing's railway logistics center and will arrive in Tashkent in 14 days.
The cargoes carried by the train, valued at over 16 million yuan (about 2.2 million U.S. dollars), are mainly goods such as fresh air ventilators, compressors, engines, and thermostats, which are all made in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. This has also been a significant step toward the region's outward-oriented economic development.
"For the launch of this freight train, we have developed a customized transportation plan based on the needs of enterprises. As for organizing the transportation, we have prioritized planning, empty container allocation, loading and transportation, and customs clearance in a bid to establish a fast channel for the train's operation," said Zhang Shusheng, manager of the marketing department of Beijing's railway logistics center.
The opening of the train route will provide important support for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region to strengthen economic ties with Central Asian countries and build high-quality Belt and Road cooperation.
The Central Asia freight trains connect major destinations in five Central Asian countries with various Chinese cities including Tianjin, Xi'an, Jinan, Hefei, and Lianyungang. Since July 2020, 32 dedicated freight train routes between China and Central Asia have been established.
Beijing launches first direct freight train to Central Asia
Beijing launches first direct freight train to Central Asia
China launched the second event of its 2026 "Big Market for All: Export to China" campaign in Hangzhou City of east China's Zhejiang on Sunday, as part of the country's broader push to expand imports and tap the purchasing power of its vast consumer market.
The three-day event, co-hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, is bringing together global brands, importers and consumers under one roof.
Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao attended the launch ceremony of the event and delivered an address.
More than 1,000 imported products are on display, from food and consumer goods to advanced industrial components.
The campaign aims to turn China's massive market into a gateway for global products, according to officials.
"The event highlights China's determination to independently expand unilateral and self-reliant opening-up. It is also China's active response to the needs of its global trading partners and our practical step to work together with them to grow the pie of international trade," said Xiao Lu, deputy director of the Department of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Commerce.
Nearly 100 import-focused companies are taking part, showcasing products and exploring opportunities in China's fast-growing consumer market.
"We have selected popular product choices favored by Chinese tourists who have visited Egypt," said Cao Kezhen, chief representative for China at the CHIMENA (China-India-Middle East-North Africa) Business Council.
Starting from May 1, 2026, China will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries that have established diplomatic relations with China, so many Egyptian businesses are eager to explore the Chinese market, Cao said.
New technologies are also helping bring overseas products closer to Chinese consumers.
"In recent years, China has introduced a range of policies to encourage imports. These measures allow Chinese consumers to buy quality products from around the world at competitive prices through cross-border e-commerce. Going forward, we plan to shift more focus onto the development of a digital supply chain from the traditional supply chain, customs declaration and inspection, logistics, warehousing and distribution," said Shan Li, chairman of High Store Tech, a supply chain service provider for global brands.
Sunday's event followed the inaugural gathering, which took place under the same theme in the national capital Beijing in February.
China launches event in Hangzhou to expand imports, boost consumption
