World Bulletin / News Desk

A freight-train service from China's northwest Gansu Province to Germany's Hamburg opened Friday. 

The first train left Gansu's capital city Lanzhou at 10:50 AM on Friday. 8,900 kilometers track takes 13 days for train to reach its destination. 

The train is carrying machinery and electrical appliances, much of it manufactured in east China. On its return journey, it will carry advanced machinery made in Germany, according to Niu Xiangdong, vice mayor of Lanzhou.

"This service will help Lanzhou establish a reputation as a hub for foreign trade, which will help develop the industry here," he said.

A weekly cargo rail service linking Lanzhou with Central Asia started on July 5 this year. The train leaves Lanzhou every Saturday, Niu said.