The contribution of China-Europe Express services to global economy and trade

According to the China National Railway Group Co., LTD., at 8:40 am on May 25, with the X8157 China-Europe train departing from Xi 'an International Port Station, the total number of China-Europe train services has exceeded 90,000, increasing from 1,702 trains in 2016 to more than 17,000 trains in 2023, an average annual growth of 39.5%. From the 90 months required in the early days, it now takes only seven months, which marks an important milestone in the economic and trade relations between China and Europe. Over the past decade, China-Europe freight trains have grown from scratch to strength, forming a logistics distribution network covering the Eurasian continent.

China-europe freight trains have reached 25 countries in Europe, connecting 223 cities, and 11 countries in Asia, connecting more than 100 cities. And in the domestic implementation of a number of railway port station, shipping station expansion and renovation and railway channel shorting projects, overseas opened up the Caspian Sea, the Black Sea Nantong road and so on.

The total number of China-Europe freight trains has exceeded 90,000, which has a far-reaching and extensive impact, mainly in the following two points: First, the growth of trade and the strengthening of economic ties. As the "golden channel" of trade between Asia and Europe, the China-Europe freight train has become an important bridge connecting China and Europe. The categories of goods transported by the China-Europe freight train have gradually expanded from the previous single IT products to a total of more than 50,000 kinds of goods in 53 categories, including new energy vehicles, lithium-ion battery products and photovoltaic products and other "new three types". The proportion of these high value-added and high-tech commodities has increased year by year. At the same time, with its efficient and fast characteristics, the freight transportation time is greatly shortened during operation, so the transportation efficiency of the China-Europe freight train will be greatly improved, and the current full running time is more than 30% less than that of ordinary freight trains. In addition, each port station actively optimizes the transportation plan, minimizes the cross-operation and waiting time, and realizes the whole process of "arriving, solving, changing, knitting and sending" of trains. This efficient production organization provides strong support for logistics trade. It has further promoted the rapid growth of Sino-European trade, strengthened economic ties, and led to the emergence of new logistics, industry, business centers and industrial parks.

Second, promote the Belt and Road Initiative. China-europe Express trains have played an important role in promoting the Belt and Road Initiative. As a flagship project and iconic brand of the "Belt and Road", it is an important part of the "Belt and Road" initiative, connecting China and European countries by rail, and enhancing China's international logistics brand status. At the same time, strengthening infrastructure, promoting connectivity and foreign trade cooperation has brought tangible benefits to countries along the route. It has consolidated its international influence and promoted trade and investment cooperation between different regions. These trains have not only opened a new land transport corridor and a new bridge for economic and trade cooperation between Asia and Europe, but also spurred the development and construction of logistics, industry, business centers and industrial parks, providing a large number of job opportunities and convenience for people in countries along the routes.

To sum up, the impact of China-Europe Express on trade growth and strengthening of economic ties is mainly reflected in the significant trade growth, strengthening of economic ties and promoting the construction of the "Belt and Road". With the continuous development of China-Europe Express, its role in global trade and economic development will be more prominent. The China-Europe Initiative has added vitality to the Belt and Road Initiative, providing a new platform, new space and new opportunities for the open development of countries around the world. In the future, with the continuous development and optimization of China-Europe Express, it will make greater contributions to the economic and trade exchanges between China and Europe and even the world.