In the midst of global turbulence, China and Europe are strengthening their trade relations through enhanced railway connectivity. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to France marks a significant step toward promoting stable and healthy China-Europe relations, providing impetus for global cooperation and growth.
As important trading partners, China and the European Union saw their trade in goods reach $783 billion last year. Given the geographical distance, transportation efficiency is crucial for sustainable trade growth. Geopolitical challenges have disrupted global maritime trade routes, which facilitate 90 percent of cargo trade worldwide. This disruption has significantly impacted industries such as automotive, electronics, and fashion, which rely heavily on timely delivery.
Amid these challenges, rail transport across the Eurasian continent is thriving, offering a stable and reliable alternative. The expansion of faster rail transportation is driven by the increase in cost and demand for time-sensitive products like photovoltaic modules, new energy vehicles, batteries, electronics, machine parts, and plastic products.
Recent reports indicate that freight traffic between China and Europe has reached an all-time high. In 2023, there were 17,523 trips, carrying a total of about 1.9 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), marking an increase of 6 percent in trips and 18 percent in cargo volume year-on-year. Notably, trade is becoming increasingly symmetrical, with 9,343 trips heading westward and 8,180 eastward.
The journey from Xi’an in northwest China’s Shaanxi province to Duisburg in Germany now takes around 10 days, two days less than in previous years. This rail service’s average carbon dioxide emissions are 15 times less than air travel and seven times less than road transport, highlighting its environmental benefits.
The positive trend continues into 2024, with the number of China-Europe freight train trips increasing by 9 percent year-on-year. In the first two months of the year, there were 2,928 trips, carrying a total of 317,000 TEUs—a 10 percent increase compared to the previous year. This data underscores the freight industry’s resilience and its role in providing efficient and eco-friendly transportation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
