The train is expected to reach Moscow in 18 days, covering a distance of approximately 9,000 km.
"In the past, we needed to send the products to Henan or Hebei provinces before they were shipped to Europe," said Chu Yixiao, general manager of the Taitong International Transportation Co., Ltd. "With the launch of this freight train service, goods can now be sent directly from Beijing to Europe, reducing logistics costs and boosting transportation efficiency," he said, according to Xinhua, adding that the development presents new opportunities for businesses to thrive.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). According to Liu Zhenfang, chairman of the board of the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd, China-Europe freight trains have linked 108 Chinese cities with 208 cities in 25 European countries, with the cargo routes handling 65,000 freight train trips, the news agency adds.