Since the Belt and Road Initiative was proposed a decade ago, China–Europe freight trains have emerged as a dynamic trading platform, injecting fresh economic vitality into countries along the route. The railway corridor acts as a bridge that connects markets, producers, and consumers across continents, fostering new opportunities for growth and collaboration.
On September 15, the China Railway Express platform was officially launched. It now offers comprehensive and multilingual services and information, enabling both domestic and international customers to engage with express train services. Customers can complete the entire process online with just a few clicks, making the experience more convenient and efficient. [Attribution: China Railway Express Launch Announcement]
Business leaders and freight forwarders note that the platform supports multiple languages, including Chinese, English, and Russian, helping to shorten distances and expand service capabilities. Vitaliy, an international freight forwarder at Xi’an International Port, remarked that the platform reduces barriers and broadens access for clients across regions. [Attribution: Xi’an International Port Statement]
Over the past decade, the China–Europe freight corridor has grown steadily. By the end of August, it had completed 77,000 train runs, transporting 7.31 million containers. The route now links 122 Chinese cities with 217 European cities in 25 countries, creating a vast network that sustains cross-border commerce and supply chains. [Attribution: Logistics Data Report]
For European consumers, cross-border e-commerce platforms now enable ordering from China and receiving next‑day delivery of Chinese-made products from overseas warehouses, shipped by the China–Europe freight trains. The system continues to expand its reach, improving access to a broad range of goods. [Attribution: E-commerce Logistics Trends]
Vanessa, a consumer from Spain, observed that deliveries via the China–Europe freight trains have become increasingly efficient and that tracking details are readily available. This level of visibility enhances consumer confidence and supports reliable last‑mile service. [Attribution: Spanish Consumer Feedback]
The quality of operations on the China–Europe freight corridor has improved markedly. Travel time between China and Germany has dropped to under ten days, giving a strong boost to Asia–Europe trade and cooperation. Bahnoperator Group’s Marcel Stein remarked that the China–Europe Railway Express has achieved impressive results over the past decade, moving numerous goods by express and earning gratitude from European partners. [Attribution: Bahnoperator Group Interview]
The Eurasian railway network now serves as a mutually beneficial conduit for nations, helping stabilize regional industrial systems and supply chains. It supports resilient global trade by providing a dependable channel for the movement of goods and materials across borders. [Attribution: Regional Trade Analysis]
Amid modest growth in international trade, trade between China and Belt and Road partners has continued to rise. Wang Dongming, deputy director of the Comprehensive Transport Institute at the National Development and Reform Commission, noted that the stable operation and rapid development of the China–Europe freight trains will contribute to economic and commercial exchanges along the route. This ongoing momentum reinforces the value of sustained cooperation among participating countries. [Attribution: National Development and Reform Commission Study]