China's trade in goods with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries reached 5.5 trillion yuan (about 770 billion U.S. dollars) from January to May this year, growing 3.9 percent year-on-year and surpassing the overall growth of China's foreign trade by 1.4 percentage points, according to the latest data.
The expanding shipping routes and railway schedules reflect the strengthening economic and trade relations between China and RCEP member countries.
Currently, the China-Laos Railway cold chain service is transporting durians, coffee beans, and other products from Vientiane to Chengdu. The China-Laos-Thailand freight train has also become a regular service, departing from Chongqing, passing through the Mohan port in Yunnan and Vientiane in Laos, and arriving in Rayong, Thailand. The transit time has been cut from eight days to five days, and overall logistics costs have dropped by 15 percent compared with last year.
"Goods exported to Southeast Asia and other regions can take advantage of the Western Land-Sea New Corridor, which offers multiple logistics options, including road, rail, and rail-sea transport. This provides our companies with significant advantages in terms of cost, efficiency, and market expansion," said Chen Weijie, manager of a logistics center.
China's trade with RCEP members up 3.9 pct in Jan-May
