Trade along the golden economic route has been ongoing for thousands of years. The China-Central Asia Summit in May has opened up a new chapter in international cooperation. Zhao Yunfei has more. 

Xi'an, in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, was once known as Changan, the starting point of the Ancient Silk Road. 

In May, the city hosted the China-Central Asia Summit, when leaders of six countries signed the Xi'an Declaration, another step towards increasing trade and connectivity. 

Xi'an International Port Station, one of the largest railway container yards in China, is a station for the China-Central Asia freight train. 

YUAN XIAOJUN General Manager, Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation "After the China-Central Asia Summit, we can clearly feel that the frequency of trade and logistics exchanges between China and Central Asia has accelerated significantly, and the demand for goods is gradually increasing."

Most containers heading to Central Asia carry vehicles and automotive parts, bringing wheat and beans back to China. 

The cargo trains are also part of a larger Eurasian network. 

YUAN XIAOJUN General Manager, Xi'an Free Trade Port Construction and Operation "As we work with our counterparts from Central Asian countries to further improve efficiency and reduce costs, we can also increase the capacity of our railway connectivity with Europe."

ZHAO YUNFEI Xi'an, Shaanxi Province "The railway linking China and Central Asia is seen as an iconic project under the Belt and Road framework. It is also a modern reflection of the ancient Silk Road."

Trade between China and Central Asian countries can be traced back to China's Han Dynasty. 

I visited Uzbekistan earlier this year to find out more. 

ZHAO YUNFEI Fergana Basin, Uzbekistan "We are traveling on a golden railway that stretches through the Fergana Valley. Two thousand years ago, Chinese diplomat Zhang Qian traveled to a place called Dayuan, which is believed to have been in this region."

From 2013 to 2016, Chinese engineers built the Kamchiq Tunnel, which cuts down travel time to six hours between Uzbekistan's capital and the eastern city of Andijan. 

YIGITALIYEV FARHOD Security Officer, Tashkent-Andijan Railway "On this line, trains are going from Andijan to Tashkent, from Tashkent to Andijan. Each train carries about 300 passengers. More than 3,000 passengers are taking a ride on this line every day."

Caravans trading goods between the east and west once passed through the Fergana basin. 

Even today, hand-weaving, using techniques from China, is popular here. 

The fabrics are in worldwide demand. 

VLADIMIR NOROV Director, International Institute for Central Asia, Former Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan "This Silk Road was so important for developing our countries because geographically Central Asia is situated in the middle of the Eurasian continent, and all transportation corridors moving through Central Asia from north to south, from east to west, from China to Europe and back. That's why during for centuries, this route has played an imported role."

China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan are planning to build a cross-border railway. 

Andijan is set to be a railway terminal in Uzbekistan. 

It's hoped the emerging industrial city will become an international transport hub. 

VLADIMIR NOROV Director, International Institute for Central Asia, Former Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan "The One Belt One Road reacted to reviving the historical great Silk Road. It's very important for Uzbekistan, and we fully support this idea. All of our Central Asian countries are supporting, it because the history of the great Silk Road is connected to the history of our countries."

The China-Central Asia Summit in May is accelerating cooperation as President Xi Jinping noted in his keynote address, the event has created a new platform and opened up new prospects. 

XI JINPING Chinese President "Let us work closely together to pursue common development, common affluence, and common prosperity, and embrace a brighter future for our six countries!" 

ZHAO YUNFEI Xi'an, Shaanxi Province "Xi'an has seen cooperation between China and Central Asian countries for thousands of years. Yet, the city is just a starting point for much closer ties based on respect and efforts to build a shared future. Zhao Yunfei, CGTN, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province."