The first train of China Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing) that leaves from Mianyang is departing. [Photo/Sichuan Daily] 

At 11:25 a.m., June 20, a train of China Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing), carrying 50 containers, set off from Zaojiaopu Railway Logistics Base of Mianyang. Heading westward, the train will arrive in Europe after leaving China from Khorgos. This is the first international train with its departure station in Mianyang. 

All of the goods it carried are household appliances manufactured by Changhong Group. A staff member of the group introduced that Europe serves as the core of the group's overseas market. Previously, the household appliances were first transported to Guangdong Province and then sent to Europe by sea transportation of more than 40 days. After the China Railway Express was opened, they were transported to foreign countries by train from Chengdu. "As Mianyang has become the departure station of China Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing), the transportation duration of exporting products made in the city will be shortened again," said Han Zhongming, Director of Mianyang Municipal Bureau of Commerce. 

The relevant head of Mianyang Municipal People's Government believes that this is a good result of Mianyang's strategy to revitalize the city through opening-up, that it marks the formal opening of a new overland channel by Mianyang to further economic and trade exchanges with Europe, and that it will promote the development of electronic information, chemical engineering, new materials and other industries. 

As the only science and technology city in China approved by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, Mianyang has been in the forefront of Sichuan Province in terms of foreign trade development. In the first five months of 2022, the city's foreign trade value totaled 11.523 billion yuan, expanding by 20.5%. 

Mianyang will open up wider with the departure of the first train of China Railway Express (Chengdu-Chongqing). In the future, the city plans to construct such facilities as railway customs surveillance zones and international container depots, increase the frequency of departure of the trains and build more routes for the trains, with a view to realizing regular operation early.