By Zhu Peixian, Gao Bing, Liu Xinwu, People’s Daily
China-Europe freight trains have completed over 110,000 trips, transporting goods worth more than $450 billion. More than 1,000 trains have been operated in a single month for 46 consecutive months. These impressive figures reflect the steady growth of this international logistics corridor.
Widely recognized for efficiently delivering Chinese-made products to Europe, these freight trains are also bringing a diverse range of high-quality goods back to China, creating new economic opportunities for countries along the route.
The impact of this exchange is visible at Zhengzhou East Railway Station in central China. A 1,000-square-meter supermarket in its waiting hall features imported products transported via the freight trains – including German dairy products, French wines, and Italian coffee beans.
“I wanted something special for my daughter after days of travel,” said Mr. Zhang, a traveler browsing at the checkout counter. He proudly displayed two beetle-shaped candy thins decorated with French writing, along with a music box from the United Kingdom containing a hidden chocolate surprise.
Zhengzhou East Station accommodates around 120,000 passengers daily. In addition to the supermarket, the other two shops offer thousands of imported products – from food and household items to health products – at competitive prices, making them popular stops for travelers.
Zhengzhou has become a major hub for the China-Europe freight train service. The city operates 11 regular outbound routes that connect directly with over 130 cities across more than 30 countries. A robust logistics ecosystem has taken shape, involving more than 6,000 Chinese and international partners to facilitate the transport of over 1,000 commodity types.
In Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi province, another import-driven retail model is thriving. At Xi’an Chanba International Port, a store run by Xi’an Aiju Grain and Oil Industrial Group attracts a steady stream of customers. At one counter, staff serve fresh, hand-pulled noodles topped with sizzling chili oil. “Central Asian flour meets Shaanxi spices. What a combination!” exclaimed local resident Wang Yongzhao.
Aiju has established a grain processing base in North Kazakhstan Region, sourcing high-quality wheat and oil products that are shipped to China via China-Europe freight trains for further processing and sale. The company has also introduced contract farming in the region, guiding farmers on crop selection and acreage. In the initial phase, 1.5 million mu (around 100,000 hectares) of farmland was brought under cultivation.
One beneficiary is Bauyrzhan, a Kazakh farm owner. “In the past, our grain had no reliable market, and prices were unstable,” he said. “Now we’ve made full use of idle land, and we no longer worry about where to sell the harvest.”
By the end of June 2024, Aiju had imported 400,000 tons of wheat, flour, and edible oil from Kazakhstan.
At dawn on June 18, rows of containers bearing the the distinctive “Yuxinou” logo (denoting Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe rail route) stood ready at Tuanjie Village Central Railway Station in southwest China’s Chongqing municipality. Among them was a shipment of vibrant red sedans from Germany, destined for bonded warehouses at the Chongqing rail port. After customs clearance, inspection, and registration, the vehicles would be delivered to dealerships across western China.
Since 2014, more than 40,000 cars have arrived in Chongqing via China-Europe freight trains, supplying dealerships in over ten provinces in China’s southwest and northwest regions.
“Previously, imported cars came by sea from Hamburg, Germany, through the Suez Canal to Shanghai, and then overland to Chongqing. The entire process took about 35 days,” said Tan Renyun, a marketing manager at Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd. “Now, the train reduces that time to around 16 days. While marginally costlier than sea freight, the significant time savings offer distinct advantages.”
Just days later, those same cars were parked at a dealership in downtown Chongqing. After a test drive, consumer Mr. Zhang promptly placed an order. “The delivery speed surpassed my expectations,” he said.
As the world’s largest auto market, China continues to offer compelling opportunities for global automakers. “Chinese consumers are increasingly looking for high-end vehicles,” said one auto dealer. “The freight trains help us bring the latest models to market faster. We’re planning to set up a regional distribution center in Chongqing to improve efficiency even further.”
Driven by efficient logistics and robust demand, the variety of inbound goods on China-Europe freight trains continues to expand. In 2024, the value of return goods handled by Chongqing trains reached $1.6 billion, with high-end items like vehicles, electronics, and machinery parts accounting for over 45 percent.
China-Europe freight train service brings more quality goods to China
