The China-Europe Railway Express (CR Express) is shaping a new order in global transportation as the driving force of the modern Silk Road. Since its inception in 2013, the connection times have shortened, the number of routes has increased, and the variety of goods transported has expanded. Today, the network links 227 cities in 25 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. The integration of multimodal transportation has accelerated processes, simplified customs procedures, and supported international cooperation with trade-specific services.
As part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Europe Railway Express has become a key platform strengthening economic ties between Asia and Europe. For instance, in Wuhan, China’s production of new energy vehicles surpassed 10 million units annually in 2024 for the first time. A large portion of these vehicles is exported via the China-Europe railway. Additionally, the return cargo volume has also increased rapidly, with imported products including Spanish olive oil, Polish milk, and Dutch cheese.
The railway’s success is driven by the dedication of railway workers, whose stories go beyond the infrastructure projects of the Belt and Road. For example, the machinist of the 100,000th train on this route follows in the footsteps of his mentor, who operated the first train 13 years ago. The young machinist teams in Wuhan and the experienced drivers in Yiwu view this project as a “lifelong career,” taking pride in securing international connections.
The China-Europe Railway Express represents not only freight transportation but also the spirit of cooperation and development at the heart of the Belt and Road. “Steel caravans,” crossing mountains and seas, symbolize the modern Silk Road, strengthening economic ties between countries, boosting trade, and contributing to local development.