Train bound for Hamburg , Germany, departing Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on June 13. [Photo/Xinhua]

When a freight train, laden with goods left the city of Harbin, Heilongjiang province, on June 13, bound for the port city of Hamburg, Germany and crossed the China-Russia border at Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia, it marked the first for a freight train to connect Harbin with Hamburg, a trip of 9,820 kilometers, local media portal my399.com reported on June 13, saying it was expected to return to Harbin by July 11.

The more than 250 tons of freight on the train were worth $1.55 million, and included women’s shoes, electronic goods, machinery, auto parts and chemical products.

Wang Fuling, speaking for the cargo agent, explained the advantages of the trip, "In the past, the goods would take at least 40 days to get from Heilongjiang to Europe by sea at low cost, but , now, thanks to the Harbin-Europe freight line it takes about only 15 days, although it does cost a bit more than by sea. ”

Wang went on to say that the efficiency of this mode of transportation is important because it can help local enterprises seize a business opportunity in Europe as soon as they hear of it. And, this Harbin-Europe cargo line is expected to boost trade with European countries especially for import and export companies in China’s North, Northeast, and East.

In addition, it can bring in more resources, technology, and capital to Heilongjiang for production and stimulate the development of trade and industries in countries and regions along the line.