A China-Europe freight train pulls out of Alataw Pass in the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. (Photo: chinadaily.com.cn)

URUMQI -- The number of China-Europe freight trains handled by the customs of Alataw Pass, a major rail port in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, has exceeded 3,000, the customs authority said.

The number of China-Europe freight trains passing through the port reached 3,018 on Wednesday, up 41 percent year-on-year, with more than 2 million tons of cargo worth over 105.7 billion yuan ($15.3 billion) transported.

During the COVID-19 global pandemic, the freight trains have played a crucial role in helping stabilize the international industrial and supply chains due to the limited air and sea transport.

The customs said they have implemented measures such as optimizing the customs clearance process to boost efficiency.