A special container train transport between Hohhot, capital city of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and Frankfurt, Germany is expected to open early 2005, according to an agreement signed in Hohhot, on December 18.

The agreement was reached between Hohhot railway bureau and railage enterprises from Mongolia, Russia, Belarussia and Germany.

The special train will run twice a month 9,814 kilometers via Mongolia, Russia, Belarussia, and Poland, said Wang Youhui, deputy director of the bureau.

The train, which is to provide an international channel between north China and western Europe, will shorten the transportation cycle from two months to 18 days.

The container train with an annual capacity of about 50,000 tons will be used mainly to carry electric appliances, textiles and foodstuff between China and other nations along the railroad, said Zheng Mingli, director of the bureau.

"We are hurrying up to prepare for opening," he said.

Hohhot last year reported a trade volume of up to 76 million US dollar, mainly with European nations.

Source: Xinhua