Rail freight services between China and Europe increase in 2018 – Xinhua

BEIJING, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) – China-Europe freight trains made 6,363 roundtrips in 2018, up 73 percent from 2017, according to China Railway Corporation.

Freight traffic was more balanced, with 72% of trips between Europe and China being made, compared with 53% in 2017.

Trains connect 59 Chinese cities to 49 cities in 15 European countries.

The freight service, an essential element of the Belts and Roads initiative, went into service in March 2011.

In recent years, trains have climbed the route, transporting Chinese clothing, auto parts, chemicals and other products to European consumers, while bringing back food, machinery, equipment and wood from Europe.