A freight train departs from Houma in Shanxi for Central Asian countries on May 24. [Photo/Yellow River News] 

In a momentous development, the southern region of Shanxi province in North China launched its inaugural freight train service to Central Asia on May 24.

The train, laden with a diverse range of commodities, including auto parts and manufacturing machinery, set sail from the county-level city of Houma, embarking on a momentous journey to reach countries in Central Asia. 

Spanning an impressive distance of approximately 8,000 kilometers, the train is anticipated to complete its expedition to Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and other prominent nations in Central Asian countries within a span of 15 days.

This landmark event commemorated the 46th China-Europe (Central Asia) train successfully launched from Shanxi province this year, highlighting the region's growing importance in international trade and connectivity. 

Since the advent of Shanxi's first China Railway Express freight train in 2017, the province has fortified its position by establishing 10 operation routes, facilitating the seamless transportation of goods. This has resulted in an impressive tally of 683 China-Europe (Central Asia) trains, reaching 33 cities across 13 countries actively involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.