At 9:20 on March 16, the very first China-Europe freight train (Beijing-Moscow) of Jingping Logistics Hub departed from the Mafang Station in Beijing's Pinggu District. The freight train, loaded with 55 containers of construction materials, home appliances, apparel and household goods, will travel west and exit the country via the land port of Manzhouli in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region before arriving in Russia at the Elektrougli Railway Station, with the about-9,000-kilometer journey taking about 18 days. Hence, the train opens a new international fast freight corridor linking China with Europe for Beijing's foreign trade transport network, making Pinggu's Mafang Station the starting point for Beijing's integration into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

Beijing sent its first China-Europe freight train, which marks its great endeavors to contribute to the BRI, integrate itself into the development paradigm of "dual circulation", accelerate the development of the "Two Zones" and build itself into an international consumption center. The debut of the train also vividly demonstrates that Pinggu District, functioning as "an integrated logistics port serving the capital", deepens the integrated development of commerce, culture and tourism with BRI participating countries, and unswervingly advances the development of high-tech agriculture, massive logistics and trendy leisure industry in Pinggu District.

The launch of the China-Europe freight train (Beijing-Moscow) has injected new strong impetus into Pinggu's development in high-tech agriculture, massive logistics and trendy leisure industry. It also creates a new fast and efficient foreign trade corridor for Beijing's export-oriented economy, and opens a new chapter in the capital's high-quality participation in the BRI. Next, the Jingping Logistics Hub will open up new arenas and foster new growth drivers in implementing national strategies and serving the development of the capital in the new era. Pinggu District will take the opportunity of the opening of China-Europe freight train to speed up the development of Jingping Logistics Hub to build it into Beijing's logistics center, serve the high-quality development of the capital with high-standard opening up, and contribute to the development of Beijing's "Two Zones" and an international consumption center.

(Source: Publicity Department of Mafang Town, Pinggu District)