Special Afghan-China rail link inaugurated in Jiangsu

KABUL (Pajhwok): The first ever Afghanistan-China rail link was inaugurated on Thursday for direct transit of goods between the two countries.

The ‘Sino-Afghan Special Railway Transportation’ was inaugurated during a special ceremony attended by diplomats and representatives of traders from both countries.

Ambassador to China Janan Mosazai hoped the railway line, jointly laid by China’s Qin Geng Industrial Co, Ltd and Afghan Watan Group, would create new business opportunities for both sides.

“After the beginning of direct flights between Kabul and Urumqi two months back, the rail transportation between China and Afghanistan is a step that will strengthen our trade ties,” he wrote on his Facebook page.

The rail line is within the one-zone programme, according to Mosazai, who credited the Afghan Embassy in Beijing for its efforts in this regard. The railroad links Hyman to the Hairatan port through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Mosazai said in the bilateral exchanges, the railway line would help boost Afghan export items like marble, saffron, dried fruit and other items to China.

The ambassador added the railway line would make the transit route for trade between China and Afghanistan a lot shorter, safer and at lower prices.

In the past, Afghanistan and China used the Silk Road for transportation of goods. Then Afghanistan played the role of a hub in connecting regional countries.

Today’s inaugural ceremony took place in Hyman city of China’s Jiangsu state.

mds/mud