During the Spring Festival week-long holiday, the operation of China-Europe freight trains remained smooth and unaffected as many trains linking China and countries along the Belt and Road in Europe, West Asia and Central Asia were busy transporting essential manufactured goods, according the China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM). From the beginning of 2021 to the Spring Festival Eve on February 11, China-Europe freight trains have made 1,590 trips, transporting 150,000 TEU, 93% and 103% higher than in the same period last year.

Since the China-Europe Express Railway project began in 2011, freight trains running between 30 cities in China and 106 cities in 21 countries across Eurasia have made more than 100 trips on each route. According to Cui Fan, Professor at the School of International Trade and Economics at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE), the normal operation of the China-Europe Express Railway reflects the active cooperation between China and the countries along the BRI. Cui believes that while the Covid-19 pandemic stalled or disrupted ocean transportation, freight trains provide a good alternative for China-Europe trade as freight trains have lower cost and faster custom clearance procedures. In addition, Cui said that amid the pandemic, the fast growth of the cross-border e-commerce sector which requires bulk parcels has increasingly relied on China-Europe rail freight transport. The thriving China-Europe Railway Express also reflects China’s increasing trade ties with the EU. According to a report released by Eurostat, China became the EU’s largest trade partner in 2020 as the bilateral trade value hit €586 billion, the Global Times reports.