A Momentous Journey Begins: The 110,000th China-Europe freight train set off from Qingdao in east China’s Shandong Province on Tuesday morning, marking a significant milestone in international logistics.
Loaded with 55 containers of home appliances, including LCD monitors and refrigerators worth nearly 20 million yuan (about $2.78 million), the train embarks on a 17-day journey to Europe. It will exit the Chinese mainland via the Erenhot Port in northern Inner Mongolia, the largest land port on the China-Mongolia border.
Expanding Horizons: Gao Yitian, an official from the Jiaozhou branch of Jinan Railway Logistics Center, highlighted the remarkable growth of the China-Europe freight train service over the past decade. “The service has expanded dramatically, not just in volume, but also in reach, cargo diversity, and efficiency,” Gao stated. He noted that the international logistics network in Shandong has been instrumental in transporting not only Chinese exports but also cross-border goods from Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian countries.
“I believe that these trains will continue to deliver more ‘Made in China’ products while providing better services for countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative and people there,” Gao added.
Connecting Continents: To date, 128 Chinese cities have launched China-Europe freight train services, reaching 229 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. This vast network underscores China’s growing role in facilitating global trade and fostering international cooperation through the Belt and Road Initiative.
