Second Railway Opens Between China and Kazakhstan

A new cross border rail link between Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest of China and Kazakhstan has opened with the first freight travelling through the Port City of Lianyungang in east Jiangsu Province and the Kazakh border city of Korgas.

The rail line was completed in record time, and extends to 292 km in China and 293 km in Kazakhstan and will provide a link for freight and passengers from European routes through Asia into China.

The Kazazh railway system was designed during the Soviet era and routes do not always fit with modern day requirements.

The Chinese government has invested heavily in rail infrastructure, since 2009, and it is hoped to develop Xinjiang into a regional economic centre, exploiting rich natural resources of oil, gas and coal.

The area around the Korgas Pass is intended to become a “Free Port” opening up the Chinese border and encouraging free trade.