A freight train loaded with tires, daily necessities and other goods left Qingdao Multimodal Transport Center of the SCO Demonstration Zone last Thursday, marking the launch of the first “Qilu” China-Laos International Express (SCO Demonstration Zone -Vientiane, Laos) and the first China-Laos International Express departing from Shandong after the completion of China-Laos Railway.

The express, carrying 50 TEUs worth 11.8 million yuan, will leave the country via the Mohan Railway Port and is expected to reach Vientiane, the capital of Laos, within seven days. This is a new line connecting Southeast Asia following the opening of SCO Demonstration Zone-Hanoi, Vietnam. It will gradually cover Vientiane in Laos, Bangkok and Laem Chabang in Thailand, and Yangon in Myanmar, reducing more than half the time of traditional sea transportation.

At present, 24 international and domestic expresses have been in regular operation in the SCO Demonstration Zone, among which 15 are international expresses of China-Japan-Korea Land-Sea Express, China-Central Asia Railway Express and China-Europe Railway Express,” said Xiang Zhiqiang, vice director of the Administrative Committee of SCO Demonstration Zone. “In the first 11 months of this year, 524 China-Europe Railway Expresses were operated in Qingdao Multimodal Transport Center of the SCO Demonstration Zone, up 45.6 percent year on year. The volume of container operations was 801,000 TEUS, up 17.3% year on year.”