Innovation and growth

A recent development has been the introduction of set-scheduled China-Europe freight trains. A total of 17 set-scheduled trains run a week, with transit times cut by more than 30 percent compared with regular China-Europe freight train services. Unlike regular cargo carriers, the trains adhere to a set schedule along the entire route, further reducing transport time and also allowing customers to accurately calculate journey times between cities.

Beyond bulk goods and consumer staples, specialized services cater to cross-border e-commerce, cold-chain food, postal shipments and automobiles. The range of goods has broadened to over 50 categories and 50,000 products, with three types of goods in particular — auto parts, machinery and electronics — making up more than 60 percent of exports last year.

New industries are also benefiting from the China-Europe Railway Express. Rail operators have addressed safety challenges in transporting new energy vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and solar panels, allowing these high-value exports to reach global markets more efficiently and reliably.

A China-Europe service center and a dedicated online portal offer one-stop platforms for contracts, customs, insurance, cargo tracking and smart containers with real-time monitoring. Overseas, 131 container depots in 17 countries provide convenient pickup and return options across most rail-linked cities.

Yang Ting contributed to this story.

luowangshu@chinadaily.com.cn