An eastbound freight train carrying 45 containers leaves for Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam via the Silk Road maritime route. [Photo/xmnn.cn]

An eastbound freight train from Russia to Vietnam arrived in Xiamen, an important hub of the Silk Road and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road in East China's Fujian province, on Oct 27.

The train set off from Novosibirsk, Russia carrying 45 containers and will travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam via the Silk Road maritime route. The train's topover in Xiamen marks a significant step forward for the city in carrying out the Belt and Road Initiative. An international two-way channel for sea-rail combined transportation has now taken shape in the city.

Since China-Europe freight trains began operating in Xiamen, the city has beefed up efforts to simplify procedures, improve its service standards, and offer a seamless connection between the Silk Road and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road to bolster its reputation as a sea-rail combined transportation hub.

Xiamen currently offers 48 regular routes to Europe, including five land routes and 43 sea routes, which have facilitated 560 trips.