The China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area, or SCODA, launched its first freight train from Qingdao, Shandong province to Izmit, Turkey on July 9.

The freight train's departure represents a fresh effort to create a gateway so that SCO-related countries can tap into Middle East markets, authorities said.

One-hundred 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of mechanical equipment were aboard the new train, with a total value of about $ 1 million, officials said. The trip is expected to be completed in 20 days and will travel via the Khorgos land port in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

Turkey lies at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. It boasts an advantageous geographical position and is a regional traffic stronghold.

In addition to deepening connections with countries in Central Asia, the train line will also promote logistics resource exchanges with countries like Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Romania, and Bulgaria to further create an international logistics network, promoting cooperation with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative on the line's route.