The China-Europe freight train service, a calling card of the Belt and Road Initiative, reached a major milestone on Friday — with 100,000 trains in operation, according to the national railway operator China State Railway Group.

At 10:20 am on Friday, the X8083 train, traveling from Chongqing to Duisburg, Germany, departed from the Tuanjiecun Station in Chongqing, becoming the 100,000th China-Europe freight train service.

This milestone highlights the rapid growth and expansion of the rail corridor that connects China to Europe and facilitates the seamless movement of goods across continents.

Since its launch in 2011, the China-Europe freight train service has made a profound impact on global trade, sending over 11 million TEUs of goods with a total value exceeding $420 billion. The service has also maintained a record of safe, stable and efficient operations, reinforcing its role as a key player in enhancing international connectivity and promoting economic cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative.

From 2016 to 2023, the annual number of such trains increased from 1,702 to over 17,000, nearly a tenfold growth.

With this latest milestone, the future of China-Europe trade appears brighter than ever, with the potential for even greater collaboration and growth in the years to come.