A new China-Europe freight train has recently been launched connecting Langfang City in north China's Hebei Province and Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan.

Chinese state media said the first train completing the route departed on April 28 and will complete a journey of approximately 6,000 kilometres, leaving China via the Horgos Pass in Xinjiang, passing through Kazakhstan and finally arriving at its destination 15 days after its departure.

The train is carrying more than 1,400 tonnes of goods, with a total value of over 14.5 million yuan (about US$2.09 million).

The cargo includes cotton goods and furniture hardware.

In its report, Xinhua said Langfang's imports and exports continued to grow this year. The total volume of the city's foreign trade from January to March was US$11.83 billion, up 23.5% year-on-year.

Zhang Chao, deputy director of the Langfang Municipal Development and Reform Commission, said the launch of the new China-Europe freight train route will effectively reduce transportation times and costs of goods between Langfang and Central Asia.