The first freight train to resurrect the ancient Silk Road route arrived in Iran from China. It took just 14 days for the 32-container train loaded with Chinese goods to complete the 5,900 mile (9,500km) journey from China’s eastern Zhejiang province through Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. It’s 30 days shorter than the sea voyage from Shanghai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas. Iranian officials have indicated that the ultimate aim is to extend the rail route to Europe, positioning Iran on a key stretch to the continent.

Source Iranreview

China is Iran’s biggest trading partner. Commercial ties continued despite decade-long international sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear programme, which were lifted in January after last year’s landmark nuclear deal. Last month, Chinese president Xi Jinping became the first global leader to visit Tehran since the sanctions were lifted. The two nations signed an agreement on boosting trade to $600bn (£420bn) over the next decade.

The revived Silk Road is envisioned as a rail and sea route, part of China’s “One Belt, One Road” economic development strategy.

China sees Iran as a country that can play a crucial role in China’s New Silk Road initiative, given its access to extensive delivery routes connecting to the Middle East and Eurasia