Ever wondered how your favorite gadgets or fashion pieces make it from Asia to Europe? Well, the journey just got faster and busier! The China Railway Express (CR Express), the major freight train service connecting the Chinese mainland, Europe, and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) partner countries, has ramped up its game!
From January to April this year, CR Express operated a whopping 6,184 trains, transporting 675,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) of goods. That's a 10% and 11% increase, respectively, compared to last year! 📈
After a decade of groundbreaking effort, this iconic BRI project now reaches 223 cities in 25 European countries. By the end of April, over 89,000 trips had been completed, boosting global trade and shaking up the logistics scene.
New Routes, More Connections 🌐
In the first four months of the year, five China-Europe freight trains with full timetables began steady weekly services between Xi'an and Duisburg, Germany, and Chengdu and Łódź, Poland. Plus, with 16 additional overseas return points, China-Europe freight options have expanded to meet the diverse needs of global customers.
Why It Matters 💡
Praised by the international community, this rail service doesn't just revive the ancient Silk Road's spirit—it improves lives by promoting win-win cooperation and economic vitality across Eurasia and beyond.
\"The CR Express has continuously added new lines and expanded its capacity,\" said Mao Ning, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry. \"It provides fresh corridors of land transport and new bridges for economic and trade cooperation.\"
The Future is Now 🚀
As the world dives into the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the CR Express has a golden opportunity to cement its place in global trade. AI can optimize logistics, improve route planning, and enhance train maintenance. By embracing AI, the freight service can become even more efficient, reliable, and sustainable—benefiting everyone involved!
What They’re Saying 🗣️
Foreign Policy magazine recently called the BRI \"a blueprint for what every nation needs in an age of uncertainty and disruption.\" They suggest that \"the solution to supply shocks is more supply chains. More belts, more roads.\"
Over the past 10 years, along the routes of the CR Express, customs clearance and inspection processes have been streamlined, making cross-border transportation smoother than ever.
Reference(s):
China-Europe freight train service expands 10% since January
cgtn.com
