A land cargo transport route between northeast China and Russia's Far East opened on Thursday.

More than 10 cargo trucks on Dec. 12 start the four-hour trip along the 309-km road from Jixi City in Heilongjiang Province to Ussuriysk City in Primorsky of Russia, the longest between the two countries.[Xinhua Photo]

More than 10 cargo trucks started the four-hour trip along the 309-km road from Jixi City in Heilongjiang Province to Ussuriysk City in Primorsky of Russia, the longest between the two countries.

Intercity passenger transportation started in March 2007.

Opening of the route would lay a foundation for Heilongjiang to broaden its trade with Russia and other nearby regions, said Li Lun, deputy director of the provincial transportation department.

Jixi is a major industrial and agricultural base in Heilongjiang. The city has a trade logistics center and a wholesale market where Russians buy produce, cement, bricks, decorating materials and daily necessities.

Currently the two countries have opened five cargo transport routes and five more are planned to be opened in the coming three years.

The two countries signed a joint statement in 2001 to build a cross-border transportation network.

More than 10 cargo trucks on Dec. 12 start the four-hour trip along the 309-km road from Jixi City in Heilongjiang Province to Ussuriysk City in Primorsky of Russia, the longest between the two countries.[Xinhua Photo]

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2008)