The so-called asbestos train departs Dunhuang, Northwest China's Gansu province, on its way to Thailand on April 21, 2022. [Photo by Zhang Xiaoliang/For chinadaily.com.cn]

A cargo train carrying more than 530 metric tons of asbestos in 20 containers departed Dunhuang, Gansu province, for Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday.

The train will leave the country via Mohan port in Yunnan province and is expected to reach Bangkok in 12 days, after passing through Vientiane, Laos.

It is the first time Gansu province has directly exported products to Southeast Asia via the China-Laos railway, provincial authorities said.

In addition to helping boost Gansu's foreign trade, the so-called asbestos train provides a new means of cross-border logistics cooperation and trade expansion among the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries, authorities said.

The RCEP agreement came into force earlier this year.

The successful operation of Gansu's first international cargo train on the China-Laos railway will lay a solid foundation for the province's development and port thoroughfare economy and promote the province's integration into the country's Belt and Road Initiative, authorities said.

Sun Chengyu, deputy director of Dunhuang Airport Customs, said fresh and dried fruit from Dunhuang has now been sold in more than 18 nations and regions around the world, mostly in Southeast Asia.

"Previously, it took a long time for Dunhuang fruit to reach foreign destinations, as most of the products had to be first transported to ports by truck and then shipped to foreign markets by sea," Sun said.

After the opening of the China-Laos railway, transportation time has been cut nearly half, providing a new and convenient channel for Dunhuang products to increase their presence in world markets, he said.

Dunhuang, an important hub and trading town on the ancient Silk Road, has advantages to further develop its logistics and foreign trade industries after the operation of China-Laos railway.

Huang Suhui, a local business representative, said his company would further explore international markets under the guidance of the customs departments in coming years.

"We will further improve and ensure our product quality and broaden development ideas to contribute to Dunhuang's opening-up and economic development," he said.