Against the backdrop of rapidly developing global goods trade, the convenience of international logistics has become increasingly crucial. At 3 p.m. on September 25, 2023, a milestone moment arrived at Shilong Railway Station in Dongguan as the whistle sounded and the "China-Europe Railway Express (Guangdong-Manchuria-Russia) X8426/5" container train embarked on its journey.
This special train's departure not only marked the trial operation phase of China-Europe freight trains originating from Dongguan's Shilong district but also provided new momentum for trade exchanges between China and Europe. The train, loaded with diverse goods including mobile phone accessories, machinery, toys, toothpaste, and mouthwash, comprised 45 railcars in total.
The journey will cover an impressive 4,400 kilometers northward to Manchuria before continuing to Moscow, Russia's capital. The entire route will exceed 11,000 kilometers, with the remarkably short transit time of just 15 days—demonstrating the China-Europe Railway Express's efficient transportation capabilities.
Since the opening of Dongguan Shilong International Railway Logistics Center in November 2013, the Shilong Central Asia Railway Express (Guangdong-Xinjiang-Europe) has become an important trade channel connecting China with Central Asia and Europe through its high-frequency operations. Currently, the Shilong Central Asia Railway Express operates three trains weekly, significantly improving logistics efficiency for China-Europe trade.
This achievement represents not only an economically significant initiative but also an important measure in actively responding to China's "Belt and Road" strategy. Through this strategy, China aims to strengthen economic ties with participating countries and promote shared global economic prosperity.
The innovation in Dongguan's Shilong district coincides with Guangdong Province's critical development phase in building an international multimodal transport cross-border hub. In December this year, the Dongguan Shilong Railway International Logistics Center obtained the China-Europe Railway Express serial number and has been officially included in the national railway operation diagram since 2016.
These measures not only highlight Dongguan's important position in the global logistics network but also provide continuous momentum and support for local economic development. On September 3 this year, Chinese and Russian leaders witnessed the signing of several important agreements at a historic event, including a strategic cooperation memorandum between Guangdong Province and Russian partners.
This memorandum marked the launch of the China-Russia Trade Industrial Park construction, injecting new vitality into economic cooperation between the two countries. The establishment of the industrial park not only lays the foundation for logistics platform development but also helps realize overall planning and trade development pathways, creating an excellent platform for implementing China-Russia cooperation projects.
In this increasingly globalized and networked era, Dongguan's Shilong district continues to innovate and forge ahead, striving to enhance service capabilities to adapt to international market changes and demands. Moreover, guided by national policies and supported by local governments, Dongguan is continuously improving its railway container transport network toward more efficient and environmentally friendly development, providing more convenient conditions for global trade circulation.
These achievements result from close cooperation between Guangdong provincial governments at all levels and railway enterprises. Responding quickly to market demands, both parties actively explore the construction of an international logistics network, rapidly elevating Shilong into a hub city for China-Europe logistics.
In the future, Dongguan will not only consolidate its important domestic logistics position but is also expected to secure a place in the global trade network. Moving forward, the Dongguan Shilong International Logistics Center will fully utilize this historic opportunity to continue enhancing international freight service capabilities and promote in-depth economic cooperation and development between domestic and international markets.
The departure of this China-Europe freight train serves as a winding ribbon connecting enterprises in Belt and Road countries with vast consumer markets, driving regional economic transformation, upgrading, and high-quality development.
In summary, with the departure of the "China-Europe Railway Express (Guangdong-Manchuria-Russia) X8426/5," Dongguan is writing its own new chapter in "international railways," providing a solid foundation for enhancing economic connections and interactions between China and Europe. Looking ahead, this innovative attempt is expected to bring more possibilities and opportunities for future cooperation while injecting greater vitality into Dongguan's—and China's—Belt and Road Initiative.
