English 
Malay 
Thai 
Japanese 
China-Europe Express：Key to Fostering Trade and Cultural Exchanges between Nations
China-Europe Express refers to international container rail transport trains that run between China and Europe and countries along the Belt and Road Initiative according to fixed train numbers, routes, schedules and full-time operation times. Since the first China-Europe Express train was launched in 2011, it has become an important logistics channel connecting the Asian and European continents, greatly promoting international trade and multilateral cooperation. Here are some key features and recent developments of China-Europe Express:
Key features of China-Europe Express
Wide coverage
China-Europe Express reaches 223 cities in 25 European countries and more than 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, forming a huge service network covering Eurasia.
Volume growth
As of the latest data, China-Europe Express has run more than 90,000 trains, shipped more than 8.7 million TEUs, and the value of goods exceeded US$380 billion.
Transport efficiency
Compared with sea transportation, China-Europe Express has significantly shortened transportation time, usually 15 to 20 days from China to Europe, meeting the needs of time-sensitive cargo transportation.
Cargo diversity
The transported goods categories include clothing, shoes and hats, automobiles and accessories, electronic products, daily necessities, fresh food, mobile phones, computers, auto parts, chemicals, electromechanical and other more than 50,000 commodities. In recent years, electric vehicles, lithium batteries and photovoltaic products have become new growth points.
Channel expansion
China-Europe Express has three main transportation routes: West, Central and East. It exits the country through ports such as Alashankou and Horgos in Xinjiang, passes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus and other countries, and is distributed to various parts of Europe.
Benefits of the China-Europe Express
Faster Transit Times
One of the primary advantages of the China-Europe Express is the reduction in transit times compared to sea freight. While not as fast as air transport, the railway service offers a reliable and efficient means of moving cargo across continents in approximately two weeks, which is significantly quicker than the typical ocean voyage.
Economic and Environmental Impact
From an economic standpoint, the railway service supports regional development along its route by stimulating trade and creating new business opportunities. Moreover, rail transport generally produces fewer carbon emissions per ton-mile compared to road or air transport, contributing positively to environmental sustainability efforts.
Strengthening Global Supply Chains
The service has played a pivotal role in strengthening global supply chains, especially during times of disruption such as natural disasters or pandemics, by providing a resilient alternative to congested ports and airspace.
The latest development of China-Europe Express
Scale of operation: From 2016 to 2023, the annual number of trains increased from 1,702 to more than 17,000, and the annual transport value also increased from US$8 billion to US$56.7 billion.
Service quality: The operation quality and efficiency of China-Europe Express have continued to improve, enhancing its role in the global supply chain, especially during the epidemic, playing an important role in maintaining the stability of the international supply chain.
Policy support: The Chinese government and countries along the route have provided policy support and facilitation measures, such as simplifying customs clearance procedures, optimizing route layout, and improving transportation efficiency, which have promoted the rapid development of China-Europe Express.bus leo.
Routes and Coverage of China-Europe Express
The China-Europe Express operates along several key routes:
- The Eastern Route passes through Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, and other Central European countries.
- The Central Route goes through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, and enters Europe via Poland or Germany.
- The Western Route crosses Kazakhstan, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, and other Eastern European nations.
These routes connect numerous Chinese cities such as Chongqing, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Suzhou, and others, with European destinations including Duisburg, Hamburg, Madrid, Warsaw, and beyond.
As an important part of the “Belt and Road” initiative, China-Europe Express has not only improved the logistics efficiency between China and Europe, but also brought new development opportunities to countries along the route and promoted the process of global economic integration.