China aims to enhance the functioning of its freight train services to Europe in its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) by implementing innovative management strategies, strengthening international collaboration, and creating new service routes.
During a news conference in Beijing, Liang Linchong, the head of the regional opening-up department at the National Development and Reform Commission, stated that the nation will bolster cross-border support systems to improve the global competitiveness of China-Europe freight train services.
According to Liang, rail freight transportation has emerged as a vital component of Belt and Road collaboration over the last ten years, with its expanding network, enhanced efficiency, and increased trade value strengthening connectivity throughout Eurasia.
Over 50,000 product varieties spanning 53 categories are moved via freight train services, with the cargo value representing an increasing portion of China-Europe trade, he mentioned.
The growing effectiveness of the service has further made it a more appealing choice for urgent deliveries.
Amidst a record heat wave in Europe that spiked air-conditioner demand last month, numerous Chinese manufacturers transitioned their restocking shipments from sea freight to rail freight, cutting transit durations from roughly 40 days to just about 15, creating a quicker route for bilateral trade.
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Wu Zhaoxin, leader of freight transport at China State Railway Group Co, stated that the national railway operator will collaborate with railway authorities on the specified routes to enhance efficiency, pricing, service quality, and innovation in the upcoming phase.
"Expansion of scheduled services, reinforcement of coordinated pricing, innovation in transportation equipment, and improvement of cargo security through better cross-border collaboration and advanced tracking technologies will be prioritized," stated Wu.
Beginning in 2025, China State Railway Group Co introduced 40-foot containers for non-hazardous liquid freight and larger containers for vehicle transport to enhance shipping choices.
The China-Europe railway freight express has operated under a unified brand since its launch in June 2016, maintaining safe and stable operations while becoming a key project of the Belt and Road Initiative.
According to NDRC data, the total number of train trips so far has surpassed 130,000, moving goods valued at over $520 billion.
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As of June, the train load factor has stayed at 100 percent for 46 straight months, with return services now running at almost the same level as outbound journeys, indicating a more balanced trade flow, the data indicated.
Chengdu Customs reported that freight trains between China and Europe to and from Sichuan province's capital carried 922,000 metric tons of import and export goods in the first half of 2026, marking a 17.9 percent rise compared to the previous year.
The services comprised cross-border e-commerce trains and refrigerated trains. High-tech items like photovoltaic modules have become central to the export roster, indicating a distinct transition from labor-intensive goods to products that showcase China's manufacturing advancement.
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In late June, two freight trains between China and Europe left Shenyang, Liaoning province, with 110 containers filled with 260 elevators, signifying the start of the northeastern city's inaugural rail service aimed at exporting locally produced elevators to Europe.