International rail-water line opens in Hunchun, Jilin province, on May 24. [Photo/ chinadaily.com.cn]

Jilin province, in northeastern China has started rail-water transportation service via Zarubino Harbor, in Russia and Pusan, in South Korea, as of May 24, the first line in the province to connect directly with an overseas port.

The line, operated by the provincial Northeast Asia Railway (Group) Co in the capital, Changchun, is expected to play an important role in foreign project cooperation and international trade, since cargo from Jilin, mainly daily necessities and food and light industrial products, can travel by rail to Zarubino, 80.5 km away, then travel on to Korea via a 480-nautical mile route.

The schedule is fixed at once a week initially but will gradually add more service based on logistical needs. Currently, the train leaves the city of Hunchun on Thursday, transfers in Russia, then starts the sea voyage on Saturday, reaching Pusan harbor by Tuesday.

The operators say the line is opening at a perfect time, as China opens its Belt and Road Initiative, a multi-regional economic cooperation move, while also revitalizing the old industrial Northeast, while Russia at the same time is developing its Far East, and a Sino-Korean Free Trade Agreement will soon be signed. This is expected to accelerate Jilin's cooperation with Northeast Asian countries and even with Southeast Asia, Europe and the Americas, basically through Pusan.