The first freight train to link China directly to the UK reached in the eastern Chinese city of Yiwu on Saturday, covering 12,000 km in 20 days – making the journey the second-longest route in the world.
The trans-continental freight train, mainly carrying maternity products and soft drinks, departed from London on April 10, according to the China Railway Corporation (CRC).
In January, the train made the journey from China to Britain, arriving in London at Barking's Eurohub freight terminal.
During its 20-day journey, the train passed through seven countries -- France, Belgium, Germany, Poland, Belarus, Russia and Kazakhstan -- before reaching the Chinese manufacturing and trade hub where small goods such as homeware, garments and souvenirs are made.
London is the 15th city in Europe to be linked to the China-Europe freight train network offered by CRC, which says its services are cheaper than air transport and quicker than shipping.
According to the CRC, the China-Britain freight service provides a safe and efficient trade route by land, strengthening bilateral trade ties and better serving the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
China now has express freight services to 28 European cities.
With IANS Inputs
