China Marks 5000th Freight Train to Central Asia via Hefei

On June 19, 2025, China dispatched its 5000th freight train from Hefei to Uzbekistan, marking a major milestone in cross-border rail trade and containerized logistics through Central Asia. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The train carries 100 containers packed with household electronics, auto parts, and tires, with a total cargo value of $2 million. This direct shipment highlights China’s rising influence in Eurasian freight transport.

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Over the past 11 years, 5,000 freight trains have passed through Anhui Province along the China–Europe and China–Central Asia routes. These corridors reflect China’s deepening economic ties with western partners and growing rail capacity.

So far in 2025, Hefei has shipped 5,190 containers by rail to Central Asia. That’s 1,031 more containers than in the same period last year, showing a 24.8% year-on-year increase.

China Strengthens Freight Ties with Central Asia

China continues expanding its inland logistics hubs to serve international corridors. Hefei plays a key role in connecting inland manufacturers with overseas markets, especially across Central Asia and Europe.

This growth reflects both demand from neighboring countries and China’s strategic investments in rail infrastructure as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

China Launches New Rail Routes to Uzbekistan

Beyond Hefei, China also opened a direct container service from Tianjin to Tashkent. Uzbekistan, in turn, began rail shipments to China’s Fujian Province, reinforcing bilateral trade via rail.

These routes enhance reliability and cut delivery times. They also diversify trade channels, helping both China and Central Asian countries adapt to global logistics shifts.

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