CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The Sino-Lao-Thai direct cold-chain train under test, loaded with about 500 tons of fresh Thai durians, arrived at the Xiaonanya Station in Jiangjin District, Chongqing on June 11. It was the first time for Thai durians to reach the Chengdu-Chongqing region directly from other countries via the new western land-sea corridor. Compared with the traditional cold-chain trains running between Thailand and Chongqing, the Sino-Lao-Thai direct cold-chain train is more time-saving.

This batch of fresh durians was shipped on June 7 and arrived in Chongqing in only four days, said Wang Yihua, Head of the Marketing Department of Chongqing International Logistics Group. The imported durians from Thailand used to be transported by sea or rail. But today, the durians were shipped directly to Chongqing by road-rail intermodal transport, which significantly enhances transport efficiency.

Every hour is precious and critical for fruit importers, and the special trains for durians effectively reduce the travel time by over 50%, said Deng Haoji, Chief Operating Officer of Chongqing Hongjiu Fruit.

With the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement and the development of the new western land-sea corridor, the economic and trade exchanges between China and ASEAN countries such as Thailand are getting closer and closer. At the same time, the bilateral business entities engaged in foreign trade for a long time have also benefited from the policy.

Deng Haoji said that as the trade policy comes with multiple benefits, foreign trade enterprises effectively reduce operating costs and enhance transport efficiency. It means that fresher Thai durians will be available in China at a cheaper price. (Translated by Yuki, Fathom Language Limited)