The X9041 train leaves Xi'an International Port for Kazakhstan in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, April 13, 2021. Photo: Xinhua

The China-Europe freight train has built up a transportation network that supports the stability of global supply chains and injects new impetus into global economic development. It has become a flagship project and a signature brand under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a regular press briefing on Friday.

Since its inaugural run on November 28, 2013, the China-Europe freight train has now notched up an impressive tally of 20,897 journeys over the span of a decade. The freight trains that depart from Xi'an account for one-fourth of the total number of express trains from China to Europe.

The China-Europe freight train has built a new land transportation channel and promoted win-win cooperation on the Eurasian continent, Wang said. "The freight train has effectively promoted international economic and trade cooperation and driven the economic development of countries and regions along the route, as well as improving people's livelihoods," Wang noted.

The China-Europe freight train passes through more than 100 cities in 11 Asian countries and regions, and reaches more than 200 cities in 25 European countries. Thanks to the development of China-Europe freight trains, the time it takes to transport goods between China and Europe has been shortened by more than 20 days compared with sea transportation, allowing high-quality products from China and Europe to appear on each other's shelves far faster, according to Wang.

In the past 10 years, more than 7.6 million TEUs of goods with a value of more than $340 billion have been transported via the service.

"The China-Europe freight train is a vivid aspect of jointly building the Belt and Road to achieve steady and long-term progress," Wang said, adding that China-Europe freight trains are also driving development in markets along the route.

He said that China is willing to work with partners in Europe to open a new decade of opportunities brought by the train.

Global Times