A new direct freight train service has been launched from Xining, the capital of China's Qinghai Province, to a cargo terminal in the Balkan velayat of Turkmenistan. This new route will help expand trade and transport cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, China’s state television CCTV reports.

The first freight train, consisting of 55 containers loaded with electrical equipment, auto parts, clothing, and other daily consumer goods, departed on June 28. The train is expected to arrive at the cargo terminal in the Balkan velayat within 14–15 days.

The new railway route passes through the Horgos border crossing in China's Xinjiang region and through the territory of Kazakhstan. Thus, Qinghai Province has established a direct railway connection with Turkmenistan, alongside Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

The new route will reduce transport costs and create a more sustainable transport corridor for products exported to Central Asian markets.

This service follows the launch of another freight railway route to Turkmenistan from the Chinese city of Chengdu. As a result, the scope of railway logistics connections between Turkmenistan and China continues to expand.