This aerial photo taken on Sept. 10, 2022 shows China-Europe freight trains at the Alataw Pass, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Chen Qian/Xinhua)

URUMQI, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Alataw Pass, a major rail port in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, handled 1,588 China-Europe freight train trips in the first quarter this year, marking a 10.35 percent year-on-year jump, local railway authorities said.

About 3.33 million tonnes of cargo were transported during these trips, up 23.8 percent year on year, according to the China Railway Urumqi Group Co., Ltd.

The surge in China-Europe freight train trips is partly driven by greater efficiency in customs clearance, the company said.