China in its bid to advance trade links within its region has officially opened the Tibet and Nepal rail and road servicing link. The service, which kicked off on Friday, saw trucks carrying goods valued at over 2.8 million depart from the Tibetan border port of Gyirong going to Kathmandu.

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With the launch of the rail and road structure, China seeks to boost trade links with its South Asian neighbors. The project will link Nepal, Guandong, and Tibet.

The Times of India reported that the project is a new milestone covered under the Belt and Road Initiative. The train is expected to carry goods such as shoes, clothes, and electronic appliances for a distance of 5,200 kilometers between Guangzhou, Tibet, and Xigaze. Then delivery trucks will complete the transportation for the remaining 870-kilometer drive to Gyirong and finally finish off at Kathmandu.

Tibet Tianzhi Import and Export Co. Ltd general manager, Yao Yanfeng, was quoted by ECNS news website explaining that the new project has eased up the time taken for the transportation of goods.

"The trip between the regions take five to six days," Yanfeng said. "The time can, however, be reduced by 3.7 days," adding that the company plans to increase its trips from the current two to three trips weekly to four to five times.

Plans are currently on the way to extend the train far past India to other South Asian nations in a bid to expand the trade links. 

Tagschina, South Asia, Rail and Road Initiative