Southwest China's Chongqing municipality recently issued 38.5 million yuan ($5.63 million) to build a demonstration assembly center for China Railway Express, a freight railway line linking China with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

China Railway Express (Chongqing) has taken measures to guarantee its uninterrupted operation to deal with transportation limitations during the novel coronavirus epidemic.

From January to July, China Railway Express (Chongqing) operated 1,149 trips, a year-on-year increase of 20 percent. The transportation route has played a crucial role in supporting the international supply chain during the epidemic.

China has supported the construction of assembly centers in Chongqing, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, Xi'an and Urumqi to improve China Railway Express's capabilities.

China Railway Express (Chongqing) has operated 5,738 trips since 2011 and is China's earliest freight railway line. It covers the largest range and moves the largest cargo value.

Statistics show that China Railway Express (Chongqing) has contributed to developing the BRI by forming a distribution system covering 14 countries in Asia and Europe. The railway network has also achieved seamless connections with the Yangtze River golden waterway and the New International Land-Sea Corridor.

Guoyuan Port in Chongqing's Liangjiang New Area is a logistics hub for China Railway Express and was approved to become a national port logistics hub last September, receiving 34 million yuan to expand its container yard.