China's Tianjin inaugurates cross-Caspian freight route to Azerbaijan

This photo taken on Jan. 19, 2026 shows the first cross-Caspian Sea China-Central Asia freight train departing from north China's Tianjin Municipality. The first cross-Caspian Sea China-Central Asia freight train from Tianjin to Baku, Azerbaijan, departed on Monday, carrying goods such as stainless steel pipes and household appliances.

The train, operated by China Railway Beijing Group, will leave the country via Horgos Port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region before traversing Kazakhstan and ultimately being shipped across the Caspian Sea to Baku. (Xinhua/Li Ran)