The first China-Europe freight train of the year departed from Beijing's Fangshan district on Wednesday, bound for Moscow with more than 4.9 million yuan ($675,000) worth of export goods, including home appliances, tires and waterproofing materials. The journey is expected to take about 16 days.

The train left from the Liulihe business outlet at the Beijing Railway Logistics Center. At around 9 a.m., an orange HXN3B diesel locomotive was coupled to 45 container flatcars, carrying a total of 90 standard containers.

According to Liu Shouzhi, manager of the Logistics Dispatch Department at Beijing Railway Logistics Center, the train will exit China via the Manzhouli railway port in north China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. 

The cargo weighs more than 450 tons and will be distributed to various destinations along its 9,000-kilometer route, including Novosibirsk and Ulyanovsk region in Russia.

Officials said the launch of this year's first Beijing-Moscow China-Europe freight train is expected to broaden economic and trade ties between Beijing and Eurasian countries. The service will also contribute to local economic growth by making it easier for businesses in the region to participate in international trade.