Revival of Old Silk Road: China-Eurasia Freight Train Expansion

The Old Silk Road, a historic trade route that once connected the East and West, is witnessing a remarkable revival thanks to modern freight trains. At the heart of this transformation is Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province in China. This city is rapidly becoming a bustling hub for regional trade, with freight trains serving as the primary means of facilitating trade between China and Eurasian countries.

Freight trains have breathed new life into the Old Silk Road, with Xi’an as their starting point. A visit to the China-Euro Cargo Trains Realignment Centre in Xi’an reveals the scale of this operation. Spanning over 5,600 acres, this facility is the largest railway assembly section in China, handling a staggering 25 percent of the country’s overall trade to international destinations. Each year, over 10,000 trains depart from Xi’an, with Kazakhstan being the first major stop. The most traded product? Used cars, particularly Energy Vehicles (EVs), which are in high demand due to rising oil prices and dwindling resources.

In 2023 alone, the revenue generated from transregional trade via these freight trains reached an impressive US$3.55 billion. The first two months of 2024 saw a continuation of this trend, with nearly 3,000 trains dispatched to various destinations, delivering 317,000 containers of goods. This represents a 9% increase in trip frequency and a 10% increase in cargo volume compared to the previous year.

China is not stopping there. Plans are underway to launch a new freight train route connecting Xi’an to Pakistan. This hybrid trade route will transport containers by train to Kashgar, and then by road to Rawalpindi, before resuming rail transport to various destinations within Pakistan. This initiative aims to enhance trade between China and Pakistan, further solidifying their economic ties.

Moreover, China is actively promoting regional connectivity with Central Asian nations. A recent trilateral agreement for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project highlights this commitment. This new railway will significantly reduce travel time for freight, cutting the journey between China and Europe by at least 900 kilometers. The proposed 523-kilometer railway corridor is expected to bring substantial economic benefits to the countries involved.

As China continues to share its economic growth with less developed nations, it is clear that the vision of its leadership is focused on collaboration and mutual benefit. The world is eager to engage in trade and cooperation with China, as evidenced by the growing number of countries from Asia to Africa that are joining hands with the nation. This collective effort aims to create a community with a shared future for mankind.

The revival of the Old Silk Road through modern freight trains is not just a story of trade; it is a testament to the power of connectivity and collaboration in today’s world. As nations work together to build stronger economic ties, the potential for growth and development is limitless. The future of trade is bright, and it is being paved by the very trains that once carried goods along ancient routes.