Air, ground links strengthen role of western hub

Trips to Europe have become more convenient for tourists from Chengdu since Air China launched a new direct route from the Sichuan capital to Frankfurt, Germany, on May 19.

The second direct flight between the city and Europe, the Chengdu-Frankfurt route is scheduled for Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. It is expected to strengthen the city's role as a logistics and transportation hub in western China.

The timing of the launch coincides with a period when many European countries are still trying hard to pull themselves out of economic crisis. Better links with the rising economic power in western China can help the process.

Chengdu already has one direct flight to Amsterdam in the Netherlands. It expects to open routes to Paris in June and London in September this year.

The opening of the new air route comes on the heels of the arrival of the first train of the Chengdu-Europe Express Rail at Poland's Lodz station on May 10.

The train left Chengdu's Qingbaijiang Railway Station on the evening of April 26 with 41 standard containers, most of which carried electrical appliances.

The express rail departs regularly every Friday. Indoor workspaces for transshipment in intermediate destinations at Alataw Pass and Dostyk ensure the work is finished on time even during harsh winter weather.

The cargo train service is operated by Hatrans, a Lodz-based logistics company. A Hatrans official said cargo is mainly transported between Poland and China by ship, but it takes at least 45 days.

It takes 14 days for the express train to finish the 9,826-kilometer journey.

Improvements to the transport and logistics networks are an important part of the Five Metropolitan Prosperity Strategies that the Chengdu government has adopted in an effort to develop the city into the nucleus of western China's economic growth.

In addition to having more international air and rail connections, Chengdu will prioritize the development of public transportation, accelerate the construction of subway lines and build a diversified, high-volume and seamless multi-layered mass transit system.

According to the city's five-year plan, one of the major targets is to develop the logistics industry in Chengdu and stimulate the export of high-end products.

During the period covered by the plan, the city hopes to increase the value of the logistics industry by 15 percent annually. By 2015, logistics should account for an 8 percent share of total GDP.

In terms of the air freight industry, Chengdu will have 30 direct international and regional flights in total in three years, making it the fourth-largest transportation hub in China.

By 2015, total air cargo capacity will reach 700,000 tons, of which international exports will account for 10 to 15 percent.

By the end of the new five-year plan, the city intends to complete the municipal highway system. This includes the second belt expressway as well as new highways connecting Chengdu to Chongqing, Luzhou, Nanchong and Mianyang. These new roads will reduce traffic delays, connect satellite cities around the capital and boost local economic development.

The total length of the highway system is 776 km.

There are four road transportation terminals - Xindu, Longquanyi, Qingbaijiang and Xinjin. These integrate logistical resources have optimized the efficiency of transport organizations.

This system connects major cities nationwide and forms links with the seven provinces surrounding Sichuan.

Chengdu is also increasing transportation connections with satellite cities like Pujiang and Xinjin by express rail and tramcar.

Construction will start on the Pujiang express rail in early June. The Xinjin tramcar will connect Xinjin and Tianfu New Zone.

The new Second Ring Road will be opened to traffic at the end of May. It is an 28.3-kilometer overhead viaduct that does not have any traffic lights. This new ring road will largely relieve the pressure of urban traffic. Passengers are able to take escalators to footbridge bus stations, which have safety gates that only open when buses arrive.