Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin Photo: fmprc.gov.cn

For the past 24 consecutive months, more than 1,000 China-Europe freight trains, an important link connecting countries along the Belt and Road, have set off along the route per month, playing the role of being a stable, reliable and efficient transport service provider while demonstrating China's resilience and responsibility in supporting  global supply chain, Chinese foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

According to recent data, 1,170 China-Europe freight trains set off along the route in April, an increase of 36 trains compared with March, showing a steady and growing trend. Taking into account the impact of the epidemic and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, this achievement was not easy as media reports claimed.

Against the background of the pandemic and the turbulent international situation, the China-Europe freight train transportation has overcome the headwinds of insufficient transportation capacity in the world and consolidating a notable result, which is really commendable, ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at the regular press conference on Wednesday.

This is a positive contribution that China's economy has made to the recovery of the world economy, and also a strong proof of the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, Wang said.

The China-Europe freight train connects 185 cities in 23 European countries, which is not only a transportation line, but also a logistics network connecting Asia and Europe, and a bond of mutual benefit and win-win for the countries and regions along the line, the spokesperson said.

For example, the number of freight trains between China and France has reportedly doubled between 2019 and 2021.

Furthermore, the train service also witnessed a leap in quality as it overcomes challenges linked to resource allocation during its early stage of operation, with the situation of empty containers has now been significantly improved, Wang said.

In the first four months of this year, China's imports and exports to countries along the Belt and Road increased by 15.4 percent year-on-year, with both import and export achieving double-digit growth.

China is willing to work with all parties to build the China-Europe freight train, jointly promote the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative, and inject strong momentum into the global economic recovery, Wang noted.