China-Europe Rails Linked

By The Moscow Times

April 17, 2012

HONG KONG — China formed a venture with Kazakhstan, Russia and Germany to operate a rail-freight service that will travel from the computer-making hub of Chongqing to Europe in 16 days, less than half the time taken by sea cargo.

Trains will travel 11,179 kilometers from Chongqing to Duisburg, Germany, according to an April 16 statement on the Chinese city's economic and IT commission's website. The new venture is owned by rail operators in the four countries and a Chongqing-based company, it said.

The rail service will ease customs checks and other connections for shippers, according to the statement. The rail link was part of former Chongqing Communist Party chief Bo Xilai's push to attract foreign investment from technology manufacturers including Apple supplier Foxconn Technology Group to the city.

(Bloomberg)

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