Beijing, 4 March 2024 (WAI): Shijiazhuang, the capital of China’s northern Hebei province, is emerging as a pivotal node for the China-Europe freight train network in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, aiming to propel regional development.
Liu Ruiling, a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the International Land Port General Manager in Hebei, shared this initiative on Monday ahead of the second session of the 14th CPPCC National Committee in Beijing.
Liu highlighted the transformative journey of a Shijiazhuang-based foreign trade company specializing in children’s toys and electric bicycles, which previously grappled with logistical bottlenecks relying solely on sea freight for exports. This cumbersome process involved shuttling containers from the seaport back to the factory for loading before returning them to the port for export, significantly inflating logistics costs.
However, the inauguration of the international land port in Shijiazhuang marked a turning point. The company swiftly pivoted to leveraging the China-Europe freight train service, resulting in savings exceeding 2 million yuan ($277,800) in logistics expenses. While sea freight to Europe consumed 40 days, the China-Europe freight train slashes transportation time to 15 days.
This efficiency boost slashes logistics expenditures, accelerates capital turnover, and enhances product competitiveness, observed Liu. The China-Europe freight train commenced operations in 2011 and has witnessed remarkable growth. As of last month, the number of services provided surpassed 85,000.
Also Read:Â Strait of Hormuz: Tensions between U.S. and Iran
According to the China State Railway Group, last year alone saw 17,000 such services, transporting 1.9 million containers, representing increases of 5% and 18%, respectively. These figures underscore the growing significance and reliability of the China-Europe freight train network in facilitating international trade and economic development.
Shijiazhuang’s strategic positioning as a critical player in this network signifies its commitment to regional development and its potential to serve as a model for other regions seeking to optimize logistics and enhance connectivity in the global trade landscape.
Shijiazhuang’s strategic positioning as a key player in this network signifies not only its commitment to regional development but also its potential to serve as a model for other regions seeking to optimize logistics and enhance connectivity in the global trade landscape.
Political Analyst | M.Phil. Scholar
