A freight train laden with a diverse array of goods departed from Xi’an, the capital city of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, on Saturday morning, heading towards Malaszewicze, Poland. This journey marks a significant milestone as the total number of China-Europe freight train trips has surpassed 90,000.
According to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd., these freight trains have transported over 8.7 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers of goods, with a total value exceeding $380 billion.
The annual number of China-Europe freight train trips has witnessed a remarkable surge from 1,702 in 2016 to over 17,000 in 2023. Correspondingly, the value of goods transported escalated from $8 billion in 2016 to $56.7 billion in 2023, reflecting the growing demand and strengthening trade ties between China and Europe.
Initially focused on transporting IT products such as laptops and printers, the freight trains now carry over 50,000 different types of goods. These include clothing, footwear, automobiles and parts, daily necessities, food, timber, furniture, chemicals, and machinery, showcasing the expanding breadth of trade items.
Notably, 2023 has seen an increasing number of Chinese-made, tech-intensive green products—lithium-ion batteries, photovoltaic products, and new energy vehicles—being transported via the China-Europe freight train service. This trend underscores the strong market demand for sustainable and innovative technologies across Eurasia.
The freight trains now reach 223 cities in 25 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. The extensive service network effectively covers almost the entire Eurasian continent, enhancing connectivity and economic collaboration between regions.
The continuous growth of the China-Europe freight train service not only facilitates efficient transportation of goods but also strengthens economic ties, fosters international cooperation, and contributes to the prosperity of countries along the routes.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
