A freight train fully loaded with new energy vehicles began a 7,920-kilometer journey on Oct 24 from China (Zhengzhou) International Land Port in Zhengzhou, Henan province, to Minsk, Belarus.

It is the first special China-Europe freight train to transport new energy vehicles from Henan to Europe, adding a new category to the province's exports after launching special trains for mail, wood, mung beans, Henan green tea and buses.

After leaving Alataw Pass in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, these NEVs, including domestic brands Hongqi, Xpeng and Voyah, will travel through Russia before arriving at their destination in two weeks.

The new freight rail service is operated by Zhengzhou International Hub Development and Construction Co, an enterprise jointly invested in and established by the management committee of Zhengzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone and Henan Material Corporation.

"As a principal partner engaging in planning and building China (Zhengzhou) International Land Port, ZIH provides customers with comprehensive and modern multimodal transport services and also offers a cross-border customs clearance platform and international trade services to cross-border e-commerce businesses," said Kang Yan, deputy general manager of the company.

China-Europe rail freight services, which were launched in the province in 2013, now provide 17 direct international routes to 140 cities in more than 40 countries.

As of Oct 28, the province had recorded 1,233 trips of inbound and outbound China-Europe freight trains this year. "Despite the impact of COVID-19 in recent years, China-Europe freight train services have kept normalized operations, building unimpeded trade channels for domestic circulation as well as domestic and international circulation," said Kang.

"The services also provide strong support to foreign trade, the international supply chain and the stability of industry."

The comprehensive operation capability and quality of the China-Europe freight trains in Henan rank highly across the country and a group of famous brands with Henan characteristics have been built up during the years of operation, attracting more than 6,000 cooperative partners from home and abroad.

"According to the needs of enterprises, we make personalized transportation plans," said Kang.

"And with the great support from related departments, including China Railway Zhengzhou Group and local customs, we can strengthen coordination in the collection of goods, packing, transportation organization and freight scheduling.

"The work can help create a fast green channel for new energy vehicle logistics and improve transport efficiency, as well as reduce transportation costs," he added.

"It also provides a guarantee for new energy vehicle enterprises to develop overseas markets," he said.

"China-Europe freight trains have opened up an international logistics corridor connecting Henan with the Eurasian continent, which has helped to overcome the province's geographical disadvantages — being away from borders, seas and waterways — reduced the costs and improved the quality and quantity of Henan's foreign trade," said Kang.

Contact the writers at zhouhuiying@chinadaily.com.cn