The China-Europe freight train linking the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area in Qingdao and Samarkand, Uzbekistan made its maiden trip on Sept 28.

Qingdao customs officers inspect the China-Europe freight train before departing. [Photo/Qingdao News]

Carrying a total of 100 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of machinery and equipment, tires, daily necessities and other goods, the train will leave the country via the Khorgos land port in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and is expected to arrive in about 10 days.

Since its first China-Europe freight train route was launched in 2018, the Qingdao SCO zone has handled nearly 2,000 international freight trains, including 523 China-Europe freight trains in the first eight months of this year, an increase of 46.1 percent year-on-year.

According to local officials, there are now 27 regular domestic and international freight train routes linking 22 SCO member states and Belt and Road countries, which depart from the zone.

Officials attend the launch ceremony of the first China-Europe freight train to Samarkand, Uzbekistan in the Qingdao SCO zone. [Photo/Qingdao News]

The train is set to arrive in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in about 10 days. [Photo/Qingdao News]