Zhejiang Belt and Road logistic alliance set up in Hangzhou

A substantial step to increase Zhejiang's participation in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an international logistic alliance was set up in Hangzhou, capital of Zhejiang province, on Dec 26.

Aiming to support the railway line between Yiwu of Zhejiang province and the Spanish capital of Madrid, and to further improve the international logistic system of Zhejiang by integrating regional resources, the alliance has attracted around 100 trade and logistic suppliers around the country.

"The establishment of the alliance could lower the cost of logistics and benefit the customers," said Chen Guorong from the Department of Commerce of Zhejiang province.

Over the years, the BRI has enhanced trade and commerce ties between participating countries and Zhejiang province.

Statistics from Hangzhou Customs show that from January to November the total import and export volume between Zhejiang and countries involved in BRI totaled 821.1 billion yuan ($119.37 billion), up 14.1 percent year on year.

Nine freight train routes between Yiwu and European countries have been launched, reaching Central Asia, Spain, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, Latvia, Belarus, the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic, with more than 23,184 containers delivered on 294 trips.