China, Europe trade relations go full speed ahead with freight train route

By Tian Xuefei (China Daily)

Updated: 2015-07-21

A freight train returned to Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on July 14 with 41 containers of cargo in completing its maiden journey to the German port city of Hamburg.

It was the train's first return home after traveling more than 7,450 kilometers along the Ha'ou Route (Ha in Chinese means Harbin, while ou refers to Europe).

The Ha'ou freight train left Harbin on June 13. It traveled through Russia from Manzhouli, the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, by joining the Trans-Siberian railway and making its way to Yekaterinburg, Russia, Moscow and then Poland before arriving at Hamburg a fortnight later.

On its outbound journey from Harbin, the train hauled 49 containers of cargo to Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany. Two containers, destined for Poland and Russia, included 15 kinds of products worth $3 million.

The launch of the Ha'ou freight rail service - and its connection with Heilongjiang province - could prove pivotal as China fleshes out its Belt and Road Initiative. The province in northeastern China, which is aiming to become a logistics and transport hub, is developing economic ties with Russia and Mongolia.

By the end of this year, there will be 26 two-way runs of freight trains between Harbin and European cities. The Ha'ou freight rail transport service is provided by Ha'ou International Logistics, a conglomerate of domestic logistics companies and the Harbin Railway Bureau.

The company's services mainly cover Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Jilin provinces, the Bohai Economic Rim, North and East China, major cities in Japan and South Korea, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Spain and Italy.

According to Ha'ou International Logistics, the Ha'ou rail freight route is the most profitable route traveling from China to Europe and Asia, based on costs, distances and train speeds.

He Liming, director of the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, said the Ha'ou rail freight service offers a less time-consuming option at lower costs.

"It will improve trade volumes between northeastern China, Japan, South Korea and Europe. It is also a demonstration for other regions in China to integrate the Belt and Road Initiative into the logistics industry," he said.

Wang Fukuan, deputy head of Harbin customs, said the launch of the Ha'ou rail freight service is helping to develop economic ties among China, Russia and Mongolia. It has also opened a new logistics channel for China's imports and exports and brought more resources, technology and capital to Heilongjiang, Wang added.

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A freight train service between China's northeastern city of Harbin and Europe launches on June 13, opening a new trade route between the continent and nation.? Chen Baolin / for China Daily

(China Daily 07/21/2015 page7)