Shandong to launch more Europe-Asia freight trains in 2019

East China's Shandong province is committed to further opening up and integrating itself into the Belt and Road Initiative by prioritizing the construction of new trade corridors and launching more international freight trains and airlines, according to a government work report released on Feb 14.

According to the government work report delivered by the Provincial Governor Gong Zheng at the second session of the 13th Shandong Provincial People's Congress, the province will strengthen the brand construction of Qilu Europe-Asia freight trains and open 500 commuter trains within the year.

Qilu refers to the kingdoms of the Qi and Lu, in what is now Shandong, before the founding of the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC). It is sometimes used as a name for Shandong province.

Two more intercontinental airlines will be opened this year as well.

According to the work report, the demonstration zone in Qingdao for China-SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) economic and trade cooperation will be constructed in high standards to smooth out cooperation between the SCO countries and build a new platform for the member states to trade on a global scale as well as contribute to Qingdao's efforts to building the city into a modern international metropolis.

The government work report is delivered at the second session of the 13th Shandong Provincial People's Congress opens in Jinan, capital of Shandong province on Feb 14. [Photo/iqilu.com]

A Qilu Europe-Asia freight train departs Yantai, East China's Shandong province on Dec 22, 2018. [Photo/chinanews.com]