China expands railway lines to Afghanistan through Central Asia The first specialized freight train from the Chinese province of Shandong has traveled to Afghanistan. The train is carrying goods worth about 8 million yuan and is scheduled to arrive at Heiran Dry Port around November 10, 2026. The cargo included textile products, chemical raw materials, work tools and construction equipment manufactured in the city of Lini. The organizer of the transport was the Chinese company Shandong High Speed ​​Group. The route will pass through Khorgos, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Then the train will cross the Afghan border near Termez and head to Balkh district. When preparing the flight, the Chinese side used a logistics center in Almaty and agreed in advance on transport capabilities in foreign parts of the route. In the past, goods from Shandong were delivered to Afghanistan mainly by road or combined routes, and the new service should simplify logistics. The trade turnover between China and Afghanistan in 2025 reached 1.89 billion, an increase of almost 20. Beijing wants to expand markets for industrial products, and Kabul wants a stable supply of imported goods and increased exports. In turn, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also gain additional opportunities for the development of transportation and logistics services. Kazakhstan ensures the exit of goods from China and their continued movement through Central Asia. Uzbekistan serves as a key transit link before entering Afghanistan. The new route gains additional relevance against the backdrop of trade disruptions through Pakistan, and transportation through Central Asia allows Afghanistan to diversify its import supply and use alternative transportation corridors. Rail transport between China and Afghanistan has been taking place for several years.

China expands railway lines to Afghanistan through Central Asia The first specialized freight train from the Chinese province of Shandong has traveled to Afghanistan. The train is carrying goods worth about 8 million yuan and is scheduled to arrive at Heiran Dry Port around November 10, 2026. The cargo included textile products, chemical raw materials, work tools and construction equipment manufactured in the city of Lini. The organizer of the transport was the Chinese company Shandong High Speed ​​Group. The route will pass through Khorgos, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Then the train will cross the Afghan border near Termez and head to Balkh district. When preparing the flight, the Chinese side used a logistics center in Almaty and agreed in advance on transport capabilities in foreign parts of the route. In the past, goods from Shandong were delivered to Afghanistan mainly by road or combined routes, and the new service should simplify logistics. The trade turnover between China and Afghanistan in 2025 reached 1.89 billion, an increase of almost 20. Beijing wants to expand markets for industrial products, and Kabul wants a stable supply of imported goods and increased exports. In turn, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also gain additional opportunities for the development of transportation and logistics services. Kazakhstan ensures the exit of goods from China and their continued movement through Central Asia. Uzbekistan serves as a key transit link before entering Afghanistan. The new route gains additional relevance against the backdrop of trade disruptions through Pakistan, and transportation through Central Asia allows Afghanistan to diversify its import supply and use alternative transportation corridors. Rail transport between China and Afghanistan has been taking place for several years.