ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 7. China launches a new container rail transport route to Kazakhstan, Trend reports.
The first freight train from the Chinese county-level city of Usu, in the Tacheng district of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, located in Northwestern China, has departed for Almaty as part of the China-Europe/China-Central Asia international railway freight service.
The train, loaded to the gills with 45 containers of auto parts, is set to roll into the Kazakh city of Almaty after making its way across the state border at the Alashankou crossing point.
This month, four more freight trains will depart from Usu station, passing through the Alashankou and Khorgos railway checkpoints, respectively, to export goods to the markets of Europe and Central Asia. In this way, Kazakhstan will play a significant role in China’s trade and economic relations with Europe.
There are two railway crossings between Kazakhstan and China: Altynkol - Khorgos and Dostyk - Alashankou. A new third crossing, Bakhty - Ayagoz, will open in 2027. The construction of this new 272-kilometer-long line will significantly expand Kazakhstan's transportation capabilities. The authorities have already approved the financing for the project, which amounts to approximately $1.2 billion.