Xiang'ou Express Line to connect Changsha with Hanoi

Changsha will expand overseas businesses as a new freight train heading to Hanoi, capital of Vietnam, will be launched later this year, Chinanews.com reported on June 7.

In October 2014, the first Hunan-Europe (Xiang'ou) Express train loaded with Hunan products set off from Xianing railway port in Changsha, strengthening connections between the Central China's province with European and Middle Asian countries.

By the end of 2017, a total of 320 express trains had departed from Changsha carrying 260,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of imports and exports, worth $1.3 billion. In terms of imports and exports, Changsha ranked fifth place among Chinese cities, according to statistics from China Communications and Transportation Association.

"Changsha boasts competitive advantages in geographic position, logistics, policies and customs service," said Song Wei, an official at Hunan Xiang'ou Express Co.

"We provide GPS services for goods in transit, enabling customers to gain real-time information of cargoes, such as position, temperature, and humidity," Song introduced. 

On top of that, Changsha Jinxia Bonded Logistics Center simplifying procedures for customs clearance helps Xiang'ou Express Line stand out among its domestic peers.

Adopting innovations in declaration system, it takes only 15.5 hours to complete customs clearance, 10 hours less than the national average level.

The new line will promote Hunan province's participation in the construction of Belt and Road Initiative and help Changsha build into an international trade and logistics center in Central China.