Freight trains operating between China and Europe (China-Central Asia) from the Yangtze River Delta in eastern China continued their steady growth in the first two months of 2025, conducting 352 trips. Of these, 208 were directed toward Central Asia, transporting a total of 21,000 standard containers. This has led to a significant increase in the trade of various goods, particularly in the automotive, electronics, and chemical industries.
Since China launched its first China-Europe freight train service in 2013, the number of railway routes in the region has expanded to 14, reaching a total of 36 countries across Asia and Europe. Freight transport now connects 25 European countries, including Germany, Spain, Poland, and the United Kingdom, as well as 11 Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Vietnam.
Within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, these routes not only facilitate the free flow of trade but also accelerate the integration of local economies. The trains departing from the Yangtze River Delta play a crucial role in the global supply chain, not only exporting Chinese goods but also transporting agricultural products, mineral resources, and industrial raw materials from Europe and Central Asia to China’s production hubs.