First 'Silk Road' train arrives in Tehran from China

[Chevil]

The first train to connect China and Iran arrived in Tehran on Monday loaded with Chinese goods, reviving the ancient Silk Road, the Iranian railway company said.


The train, carrying 32 containers of commercial products from eastern Zhejiang province, took 14 days to make the 9,500-kilometre (5,900-mile) journey through Kazakstan and Turkmenistan.

"The arrival of this train in less than 14 days is unprecedented," said the head of the Iranian railway company, Mohsen Pourseyed Aqayi.

"The revival of the Silk Road is crucial for the countries on its route," he said at a ceremony at Tehran's rail station attended by the ambassadors of China and Turkmenistan.

The journey was 30 days shorter than the sea voyage from Shanghai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, according to Aqayi.

The railway will not stop in Tehran "as we are planning to extend the railway to Europe in future," generating more income for Iran from passing trains, he added.


The train is run by private companies using existing routes, Iranian railway company spokesman Sadegh Sakari told AFP.

According to Iranian media, more than a third of Iran's foreign trade is with China, which is Tehran's top customer for oil exports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed last month to build economic ties worth up to $600 billion within the next 10 years.

It came during a visit to Iran by Xi, the first by a Chinese president in 14 years, and just days after sanctions against Tehran were lifted under a historic nuclear deal with world powers.

Xi's signature foreign policy initiative known as "One Belt One Road" is touted as a revival of ancient Silk Road trade routes.

The Silk Road is an ancient network of commercial land and sea routes, named for the lucrative Chinese silk trade, that were central to business across the Asian continent connecting China to the Mediterranean Sea.

First 'Silk Road' train arrives in Tehran from China - Yahoo News

 

[Madali]

The first train to connect China and Iran arrived in Tehran on Monday loaded with Chinese goods, reviving the ancient Silk Road, the Iranian railway company said.


The train, carrying 32 containers of commercial products from eastern Zhejiang province, took 14 days to make the 9,500-kilometre (5,900-mile) journey through Kazakstan and Turkmenistan.

"The arrival of this train in less than 14 days is unprecedented," said the head of the Iranian railway company, Mohsen Pourseyed Aqayi.

"The revival of the Silk Road is crucial for the countries on its route," he said at a ceremony at Tehran's rail station attended by the ambassadors of China and Turkmenistan.

The journey was 30 days shorter than the sea voyage from Shanghai to the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, according to Aqayi.

The railway will not stop in Tehran "as we are planning to extend the railway to Europe in future," generating more income for Iran from passing trains, he added.


The train is run by private companies using existing routes, Iranian railway company spokesman Sadegh Sakari told AFP.

According to Iranian media, more than a third of Iran's foreign trade is with China, which is Tehran's top customer for oil exports.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani agreed last month to build economic ties worth up to $600 billion within the next 10 years.

It came during a visit to Iran by Xi, the first by a Chinese president in 14 years, and just days after sanctions against Tehran were lifted under a historic nuclear deal with world powers.

Xi's signature foreign policy initiative known as "One Belt One Road" is touted as a revival of ancient Silk Road trade routes.

The Silk Road is an ancient network of commercial land and sea routes, named for the lucrative Chinese silk trade, that were central to business across the Asian continent connecting China to the Mediterranean Sea.

First 'Silk Road' train arrives in Tehran from China - Yahoo News

This is very important news. Railways might be an old form of transporting goods but it is still one of the most important. Our leaders need to put land logistics as a high priority.

 

[Chevil]

This is very important news. Railways might be an old form of transporting goods but it is still one of the most important. Our leaders need to put land logistics as a high priority.

the ultimate goal is to decrease waterway importance ... anyway , free countries should gather and make alternative currency for dollars ....

 

[simple Brain]

You guys are lucky that you have revive this silk rout with China. I thought we have this CPEC opportunity after a very long time, but, unfortunately it kinda look blurry to me now. I believe China has already started to pulling itself out of this CPEC deal. Few more months and everyone will hear this news.

 

[That Guy]

No worries. Once CPEC is fully operational, and the roads are completely built, the route to Tehran should become vastly shorter.

This wont make the route is central Asia obsolete, as it will probably be extended to Europe (as I'm sure is the plan).

You guys are lucky that you have revive this silk rout with China. I thought we have this CPEC opportunity after a very long time, but, unfortunately it kinda look blurry to me now. I believe China has already started to pulling itself out of this CPEC deal. Few more months and everyone will hear this news.

Completely false. There is zero reason for china to pull out. The CPEC project isn't just economic for China, it is about Chinese security.

The Chinese have already spent billions, and the projects are already half way done, why would they pull out now? In fact, it looks like China is going to increase its investment in CPEC soon.

 

[T-55]

 

[simple Brain]

The Chinese have already spent billions, and the projects are already half way done, why would they pull out now? In fact, it looks like China is going to increase its investment in CPEC soon.

The billions of dollars that you mentioned isn't the investment that China brought to Pakistan, its a loan lend by the Chinese banks to the Pakistani Government. And as far as Gawadar is concerned, Chinese so far has spent around 350 million dollars, which itself is a loan of its kind. I wish I am wrong literary and we could settle down our differences before its too late.

 

[That Guy]

The billions of dollars that you mentioned isn't the investment that China brought to Pakistan, its a loan lend by the Chinese banks to the Pakistani Government. And as far as Gawadar is concerned, Chinese so far has spent around 350 million dollars, which itself is a loan of its kind. I wish I am wrong literary and we could settle down our differences before its too late.

Except that's not true. Of the 46 billion, about half is loans set on soft terms, the rest is investments in the form of purchases of property and land, including the lease on Gwadar, plus grants and joint ventures. Most of the loan will be paid through the Chinese use of Gwadar for the next 40 years, not by the national budget.


You ARE wrong. There is ZERO indication of China dropping CPEC. This is MORE than an economic project for China. Besides, China will not abandon its strong ally, on a whim, that is not how a growing power works.

Show me where you got this idea that China is dropping the project, when it was only announced a year ago.

 

[simple Brain]

You ARE wrong.

I literary hope I am and you are right about it.

 

[That Guy]

I literary hope I am and you are right about it.

Your hope is unneeded. Geopolitics has forced China to invest in Gwadar, which they've wanted to do since 2006. They're far more committed than you give them credit for. At this point, neither China, nor Pakistan have a choice.

We'll see bickering and disagreements, but large projects always run this way. There is not a single large project that is developed completely smoothly.

 

[simple Brain]

Your hope is unneeded. Geopolitics has forced China to invest in Gwadar, which they've wanted to do since 2006. They're far more committed than you give them credit for. At this point, neither China, nor Pakistan have a choice.

We'll see bickering and disagreements, but large projects always run this way. There is not a single large project that is developed completely smoothly.

Either you are extremely ignorant or you do not understand the geopolitics that you have mentioned in here. Let me explain you few things before I lose my mind again on your hypothetical replies regarding CPEC issue and my hopeful answers.
Up-until now the amount of work that has been going on any project in Pakistan is financed by the amount that Pakistan's Government has received from Chinese banks as a loan. And this amount is without a doubt a part of that 46 Billion amount that China will invest in Pakistan, whether if it is being utilized in energy sector, or on Orange train project in Lahore or on Karachi to Lahore motorway or Gawadar port extension or Gawadar International Airport you name it. If for an instance we say that China is going to pull out itself from this agreement, they will lose nothing, because the money that they have already spent on projects in Pakistan is a Loan that the Chinese banks lent it to the Pakistani Government. So instead of losing something they will gain a lot out of it. Now why did I said said that their is a possibility that the Chinese will pull out of this CPEC agreement is because we have not agreed with most of their terms, and one of them was Iran and Pakistan Gas pipeline project. And their are hundreds of other issues that the Chinese have concerns about and our Government isn't serious about it to even discuss them in public.

This recent silk road train demonstration from Iran is a clear message to Chinese that the trade through the Central Asian Countries is possible and that the Chinese do not literary require Pakistan's Gawadar or a route through hostile and untrustworthy Pakistan.

We are still lucky that Chinese trust our Military leadership and do whatever they could to help Pakistan. Otherwise our Civilian leaderships have not done less to sabotage this brotherly relationship with China.

You talk about Geopolitics, first you go head and learn what literary geopolitics means in real world. Have you recently visited Gawadar port? Have you seen any new developments going on out their apart of that road which is being built by the FWO? No? yes? As I said earlier, I am more optimistic about this CPEC project than you are, but I can't deny the facts either, any patriot Pakistani would want this project to be fully functional ASAP, but life has its own realities, Countries have their own interests, thoughts have no values my friend, start living in a real world.

 

[AUz]

The great thing would be if this train goes back to China loaded with Iranian goods for Chinese markets.

If not, then it is a disaster for Iran since China will just eat up iranian economy and chinese goods will dominate iranian markets..while iranian local production capabilities will become obsolete.

Iran should make use of this opportunity in terms of economic productivity--and not in terms of "consumption" of cheap chinese goods

 

[Hack-Hook]

No worries. Once CPEC is fully operational, and the roads are completely built, the route to Tehran should become vastly shorter.

This wont make the route is central Asia obsolete, as it will probably be extended to Europe (as I'm sure is the plan).


Completely false. There is zero reason for china to pull out. The CPEC project isn't just economic for China, it is about Chinese security.

The Chinese have already spent billions, and the projects are already half way done, why would they pull out now? In fact, it looks like China is going to increase its investment in CPEC soon.

for China the sweet word is stability and security , what you guys must work on is those two part . not worrying about this route as its target is completely different .

 

[That Guy]

Either you are extremely ignorant or you do not understand the geopolitics that you have mentioned in here. Let me explain you few things before I lose my mind again on your hypothetical replies regarding CPEC issue and my hopeful answers.

Your argument is based upon your own misguided assumptions, nothing more. Calling me ignorant won't change the fact that you're simply wrong.

Up-until now the amount of work that has been going on any project in Pakistan is financed by the amount that Pakistan's Government has received from Chinese banks as a loan. And this amount is without a doubt a part of that 46 Billion amount that China will invest in Pakistan, whether if it is being utilized in energy sector, or on Orange train project in Lahore or on Karachi to Lahore motorway or Gawadar port extension or Gawadar International Airport you name it. If for an instance we say that China is going to pull out itself from this agreement, they will lose nothing, because the money that they have already spent on projects in Pakistan is a Loan that the Chinese banks lent it to the Pakistani Government. So instead of losing something they will gain a lot out of it. Now why did I said said that their is a possibility that the Chinese will pull out of this CPEC agreement is because we have not agreed with most of their terms, and one of them was Iran and Pakistan Gas pipeline project. And their are hundreds of other issues that the Chinese have concerns about and our Government isn't serious about it to even discuss them in public.

You don't seem to understand the geopolitical ramifications, you're purely looking at this entire situation from a financial point of view, which is your biggest failure in making your argument.

First of all, the Chinese aren't just investing to save money for them selves, by having a shorter route to the middle east, they're doing it for military purpose. The Strait of malacca can be blocked in a time of war, Gwadar would provide a relatively safe alternate route for Chinese supplies.

Next, you're assuming that the Chinese would financially endanger their biggest military and political partner, not just in the region, but the world. They're not as stupid as you make them out to be, neither are they cowards.

As for the Iran-Pakistan pipeline, that point is not only invalid, it's actually the complete opposite from reality. China is actually set to build the pipeline for Pakistan, with the intention to extend the line to China in the future.

China to Build Pipeline From Iran to Pakistan - WSJ

Your point that Pakistan hasn't agreed to their terms is not only ridiculous, it's the most ridiculous thing I've heard. The only ones to make a fuss about it are PTI and PPP, the GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY AGREED.

Hey, guess what, politics doesn't work like you think it does. Serious negotiations don't happen in public proceedings, they happen in private; the reason being to avoid unnecessary public and political meddling.

There are always going to be issues, that's the nature of multibillion dollar projects, that doesn't imply that one side is giving up on the other.

This recent silk road train demonstration from Iran is a clear message to Chinese that the trade through the Central Asian Countries is possible and that the Chinese do not literary require Pakistan's Gawadar or a route through hostile and untrustworthy Pakistan.

No it doesn't, you ignorant hick. The Chinese aren't investing in Gwadar to get Iranian gas, they're doing it to link themselves with the middle east and Africa. They can go around to Iran, but as long as India controls Chabahar port, the Chinese will not be able to use it the way they want. Going all the way around, by using central Asia, would defeat the entire purpose of China's investment in the silk road and CPEC projects.

Look at the map, LOOK AT IT.

If you still don't get why China is so invested in Gwadar, then I'm wasting my time here.

We are still lucky that Chinese trust our Military leadership and do whatever they could to help Pakistan. Otherwise our Civilian leaderships have not done less to sabotage this brotherly relationship with China.

I'm not even going to dignify this comment.

You talk about Geopolitics, first you go head and learn what literary geopolitics means in real world. Have you recently visited Gawadar port? Have you seen any new developments going on out their apart of that road which is being built by the FWO? No? yes? As I said earlier, I am more optimistic about this CPEC project than you are, but I can't deny the facts either, any patriot Pakistani would want this project to be fully functional ASAP, but life has its own realities, Countries have their own interests, thoughts have no values my friend, start living in a real world.

Facts are facts are facts. You trying to character assassinate me won't change that fact.

You literally are speaking out of mere assumptions, rather than facts. You're ASSUMING, China is pulling out of this project, you're ASSUMING China is only in it for the economic aspect, you're ASSUMING that CPEC will fail.

Yes you have provided ZERO indications as to why you're correct.

I WILL ASK YOU AGAIN, WHERE IS YOUR PROOF?

for China the sweet word is stability and security , what you guys must work on is those two part . not worrying about this route as its target is completely different .

One of CPEC's objectives is to provide stability and security, by providing jobs and raising Baluchistan's economy, so the Pakistan-China border stabilizes completely.

Iran is already going to link itself to Gwadar (through providing energy and road links), so both routes may end up linking up. Besides, Pakistan wants a route to central Asia, Iran can provide that with this very route.

 

[libertycall]

@That Guy How do you think this will be affected by China's desire to move towards a consumer based economy?