On August 29, 2021, the seventh CRE Chang'an International Freight Train Meidong route (Xi'an-New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston) has been put into operation. Since its first shipment, the train, full-loaded with 50 containers has started from Xi'an. It travels through various countries in Eurasia and across the Atlantic and finally arrives at the east coast of the United States, taking 35 days to finish the whole journey. The dispatched train indicates the normal operation of the CRE Chang'an International Freight Train Meidong route.

This route has not only connected the central and western part of China with the eastern coast of North America but also innovatively changed the mainstream maritime transportation, the traditional logistics transportation mode, applied in the trade between China and the US for years.

This train is from the "Land Bridge" rail-sea intermodal transportation products developed and tested by ITL Group in February this year. Previously, the exported goods from the central and western part of China to North America would be delivered to Qingdao Port or Shanghai Port at the eastern coast first. Then the goods would be shipped to ports on the western coast of the US across the Pacific Ocean and wait for the unloading process. Later, the goods would be delivered to different cities on the eastern coast by railway or expressway. This route is known as "Minor Land Bridge Transportation". Sometimes, the goods would be delivered from ports at home to cross the Pacific Ocean, Panama Canal to different cities on the eastern coast of North America.

With the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world, the demand for international trade done by maritime transportation has been significantly impacted, resulting in problems such as the shortage of port equipment, change of transportation routes, collection of the special surcharge and the increase in freight. Moreover, due to the import volume of the US hits a record high, there is severe congestion in the inland multi-modal transportation as well as a heavy burden on the railway network.

To cope with the reality, ITL Group has innovatively launched the first "Land Bridge" rail-sea intermodal transportation solution in the world. The new land-sea trade corridor, crossing the Central European continent as well as the Atlantic Ocean has successfully connected the central and western part of China and the eastern coast of North America in a cost-effective and time-saving way.

There are three features in CRE Chang'an international freight train Meidong route (Xi'an-New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston):

Firstly, the whole journey saves more time. The brand-new "Land Bridge" rail-sea intermodal transportation solution starts the journey from Xi'an and finally arrives at ports at the eastern coast of the US (New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston), which completely avoids the congestion in ports of the western coast of the US and the uncertainties freighters may confront in Panama Canal. In this way, time spent on transportation can be greatly reduced. Secondly, containers and shipping space will not be in shortage. ITL Group works together with the Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) to provide services related to containers and shipping. With our developed operation, we will ensure a stable supply of containers and shipping space for clients so as to free their minds of apprehension. Thirdly, the whole journey is in shipping containerization. The switch from standard gauges to broad gauges of the Meidong route can be finished in the shortest time at the border of China, which saves time before entering the railway system in Europe. The whole journey is in containerization without the need to change containers halfway, maximizing the safety of goods in an efficient way.

CRE Chang'an international freight train Meidong route (Xi'an-New York, Norfolk, Savannah, Charleston) now has become the CRE China-Europe Public Trains which runs weekly to set up a bridge between Asia, Europe and North America to offer more efficient China Railway Express services for clients and customers in the eastern coast of the US.

In the near future, ITL Group will further improve and optimize the operation of the China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train. With the more efficient operation, ITL Group actively participates in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to build the inland reform and opening-up pioneer area. We also strive to set up a comprehensive nationwide circulation as mainstream and further contribute to the establishment of the domestic and international dual circulation model for mutual development.

On July 2, 2021, a grand ceremony for the successful transfer of the first test train which runs across Japan and Korea in the Eurasia Land-Sea Trade Corridor was held at the automobile import port in Xi'an Port! This event is of great significance to the construction of the Eurasia Land-Sea Trade Corridor and the improvement of the city status of Xi'an as a hub!

Wei Jianfeng, vice governor of Shaanxi Province, attended the event. Shen Liping, deputy mayor of Xi'an City, host the event. Wang Jianping, deputy secretary-general, Zhao Jing, director of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Commerce, Liu Yingjun, deputy head of Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Tang Yugang, deputy director of Shaanxi Provincial Department of Commerce, Ying Xiaoli, deputy director of Xi'an Customs, Zhang Yuhu, chief accountant of China Railway Container Transport Co., Ltd. (CRCT), Wang Liminming, deputy general manager of China Railway Xi'an Group Co., Ltd. and other distinguished delegates from Shaanxi Provincial Development and Reform Commission, Shaanxi Provincial Department of Commerce, Administrative Committee of Xi'an International Trade and Logistic Park, China Railway Container Transport Co., Ltd. (CRCT), stations and the Customs, Xi'an branch of the Intermodal, ITL Group and partners related to the train attended this event.

Wei Jianfeng, vice governor of Shaanxi Province, indicated that the running of the test train was the specific initiative to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech delivered in his investigation in Shaanxi to accelerate the construction of the Eurasia Land-Sea Trade Corridor and compensate for weaknesses in opening-up. Then the inland reform and opening-up pioneer area can be formed eventually. He further stressed that optimization in services and the strengthening of foreign cooperation were needed. China Railway Express should play a leading role in promoting the deeply integrated construction of the overall pattern of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

With the firm support from the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Commerce, the test train was operated under the cooperation of Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. and the Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL). The first test train (Europe-Xi'an-Korea) departed on June 17, 2021, and arrived in Xi'an on July 1, 2021. The first test train (Japan-Xi'an-Europe) departed successfully on July 1, 2021. Normal operation of two-way train would be achieved in near future.

In accordance with the report, the test train (Europe-Xi'an-Korea) is loaded with recyclable packing materials of LG which are manufactured in their plants in Poland. It is also the first time for LG to transport their goods through the rail-sea intermodal transportation model and the China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train. The test train departed from Malaszewicze (Poland) to Xi'an. Then it would transfer to Qingdao Port by railway and finally arrive in Korea by sea. The test train (Japan-Xi;an-Europe) is loaded with auto parts. It arrived in Qingdao Port from Japan by sea and was transferred to Xi'an by railway. Then it would take China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train to Duisburg (Germany). Compared with traditional maritime transportation, the new rail-sea intermodal transportation model will effectively shorten the shipping time and lower down the logistics cost. Therefore, overstocking can be reduced in time to free the flow of capital and promote the effective operation of enterprises.

In the future, ITL Group will continue to strengthen foreign cooperation. We will promote the construction of Xi'an Port to make it a basic port for the Japan-Korea Cross Border Operation Route and achieve a seamless connection between shipping, inland trade trains and China Railway Express to facilitate Xi'an playing a leading role as the distribution center in China Railway Express. We will also strive to speed up the construction of the China Railway Express (Xi'an) Collaboration Center to strengthen the attraction of the "Bring-in" strategy and the competitiveness of the "Go Global" strategy of China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train under the dual circulation development model. We believe that the land-sea integration and the cooperation between China and foreign countries will advance an opening development to mutual achievements between the East and the West.

On June 3, 2021, the unveiling ceremony of a wooden bear craft from a Finnish city Kouvola, was held on Xi'an Metro Line 4 Beikezhan Station (Beiguangchang).

Su Hailan, Finnish ambassador to China, Xu Mingfei, deputy mayor of Xi'an City, Ren Qiangsheng, head of Foreign Affairs Office of Xi'an City, Qu Jinwei, secretary of the party committee and chairman of ITL Group all together attended the unveiling ceremony and witness this historical moment.

The bear craft, which was made following the image of the Finnish national treasure, took China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train to the ancient city Xi'an. It would be displayed in the Beikezhan Station. Designed and made by Finnish artist Esa Hyytiäinen, the bear craft is finished under the concept to demonstrate an open-minded and adorable bear who stands on the hill and stretches out its arm to show its expectations for the future. The adorable bear travels a long distance from Finland to Xi'an, carrying the good wishes from Kouvola and the expectation to achieve long-term friendship. It also demonstrates the hope for friendly communication and cooperation between the two cities and our two countries.

Located in the southeast of Finland, Kouvola is 134km away from the capital city Helsinki and about 60km away from the west border of Russia. It is an important hub city on the railway system in the southeast of Finland.

The biggest central railway switchyard of Finland is in Kouvola, shunting millions of tons of goods per year. The well-known Trans-Siberian Railway which runs from the far east and through Russia ends in Kouvola. Many significant industrialized countries in the far east, such as China, Russia and the north part of the EU are connected by it to make sure goods can be transported to countries in the EU in a short time. Moreover, it is not only a vital gateway for China to enter the Nordic countries, Russia and other European countries for trading but also a railway goods distribution center between the EU, Russia, China, Korea and other countries. It plays an essential role as one of the "bridgeheads" and the central city for Northern Europe logistics.

As of November 2017, the normal operation of China Railway Express (Kouvola-Xi'an) has achieved an operation of a two-way train a week, with 12-day transportation timeliness. With the shuttling China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train, pulp and woods from Finland can enter China through Xi'an Port and electronic products, machinery and equipment from China can enter the market of the Nordic countries as well.

In 2021, the route has been further improved to add a drop-off point as a normal operation station in Helsinki. In this way, the economic and trade exchanges and the cultural exchanges between China and Finland are boosted.

In the future, Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. will constantly improve the high-quality development of China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train to maintain a stable and safe operation of the global industrial chain and supply chain to strengthen the attraction of the "Bring-in" strategy and the competitiveness of the "Go Global" strategy of CRE Chang'an international freight train under the dual circulation development model. We will also spare no efforts to contribute to building an international trade corridor with high efficiency, low cost and brilliant services!

On the afternoon of April 21, Xi'an International Inland Port Investment & Development Group (ITL Group) signed a memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation respectively with Belgium North Sea Port Group and Ostend-Bruges Airport.

Signed at the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Belgium, the signing was of great significance, effectively enhancing the development of China-Europe international multi-modal transportation businesses that cover all areas of land, sea and air, and promoting the efficient operation of China Railway Express (CRE) (Chang'an International Freight Train) between China and Belgium.

It is reported that the two sides will cooperate to develop a comprehensive transportation hub by sea, land and air, thus building a broader logistics corridor between Xi’an Port and Belgium! The two sides will work together on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and are committed to building a transportation hub combining sea, land and air to boost the development of multi-modal transportation business between China and Belgium, as well as the whole of Europe.

Through the cooperation and signing of the contract with North Sea Port, an important European seaport, we will continue to deepen the economic and trade exchanges and cooperation with Belgium, and take North Sea Port as the fulcrum to further broaden the sea-rail-air intermodal logistics service of CRE (Chang'an International Freight Train) in the whole European hinterland, so as to achieve win-win development.

Before the ceremony, the guests visited the supervision and working sites of the Xi'an Railway Port for the import of automobiles and the operation center of CRE. Showcasing the strong momentum of the development of CRE (Chang'an International Freight Train), it reached a record high of 3,720 train departures in 2020. In addition to its number of train departures, the ratio of the loaded container, the volume of freight and other core indicators of Chang'an also ranked first across the country.

Through this cooperation, on the one hand, we will continue to strengthen the cooperation among trains for the imported automobile; on the other hand, we will actively explore and find advantageous products from both sides. By operating Xi'an-Belgium Public Trains and taking advantage of Ostend-Bruges Airport in Belgium, we can explore the air-rail inter-modal transportation products. Together, we will seek the potential cooperation in implementing the BRI to build an integrated land and air transportation hub, and boost the development of multi-modal transportation business between China, Belgium and the whole of Europe.

Next, based on the existing sea-rail and highway-rail intermodal transportation, ITL Group will strengthen the in-depth cooperation with Belgium to create efficient and convenient air-rail international logistics intermodal transport products and enhance the ability to serve the diversified logistics needs along the Belt and Road. By doing so, we can promote the economic and trade exchanges between the two countries, which are of great significance for improving the BRI!

China Railway Express (CRE) Chang'an international freight train (Xi'an-Moscow) for vehicle export has been put into operation on October 31, 2020. Since its first shipment, a total of 7 trains carrying 1,023 commercial vehicles have been dispatched. Starting from Xi'an International Port, the train exits the country via Erenhot Port and finally arrives at the Vorottensk Station in Moscow after passing by Mongolia, covering a distance of about 8,296 kilometers and taking 16 days.

With a frequency of two trains per month, the train ships finished vehicles far to the Vorottensk Station in Moscow, which is a special station for operations of vehicles, such as unloading, warehousing, customs clearance, and others. Thanks to its convenience and good storage conditions, all vehicles exported to Russia can be properly distributed countrywide from here.

Xi'an International Inland Port Multimodal Transportation Co., Ltd. (ITL) now has the largest multistorey parking garage across all inland ports — a total of five stories with accommodation of 2,350 vehicles enough for one train's loading operation every day. More than that, ITL also provides professional and whole-process logistics services for vehicle business by using its self-owned containers and professional vehicle transportation supports, making the whole transportation process a smooth and successful one.

It is reported that since January 2021, to meet customer demand, ITL has launched a large number of its self-owned containers from Xi’an Port into the CRE market. Now, these blue containers are crisscrossing in all corners of the world from day to night, easing efficiently the market tension of the container shortage.

The successful operation of this line to Moscow has further improved the layout of the railway commercial vehicle transportation route of Xi'an Port through the Eurasian Land Bridge.

ITL will continue to improve and upgrade its transport lines and work toward the building of China Railway Express (Xi'an) Collaboration Center to give a full play of Xi'an's advantages in location, timing, and cost based on the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), thus to contribute to the building of a new development paradigm with domestic circulation as the mainstay and domestic and international circulations reinforcing each other!