Beijing -- China-Europe cargo trains have witnessed rapid growth since the first left southwest China's Chongqing for Germany's Duisburg in 2011.
On June 8, the official logo for the China-Europe cargo trains was released. Logo-bearing container trains departed from Chongqing, Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Wuhan, Changsha, Suzhou, Dongguan and Yiwu on the same day. All cargo trains from China to Europe will use this new logo, which integrates the Chinese railway logo and its English abbreviation, in red and black.
Li Pumin, secretary general and spokesman of China's National Development and Reform Commission said at the recent routine press conference that the full use of the official logo for the China-Europe cargo trains would strengthen the overall competitiveness of Chinese railway transportation in the world.
Along with the promotion of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Europe container trains have become a major transportation channel of the international logistics industry, and also powerful support for the development of the Belt and Road Initiative.
At present, over 1,700 trains have passed from China to Europe along 39 lines, according to the statistics of China Railway Container Transport, and a total of 815 China-Europe cargo trains were launched in 2015, 2.7 times the amount of 2014.
In the first five months, 282 container trains crossing the border at Manzhouli arrived at Europe, carrying 20,000 TEUs of cargo, a rise of 130 percent and 80 percent year on year respectively. Meanwhile, the Hanxinou (Wuhan-Xinjiang-Europe) Railway launched 84 lines during the same period, carrying 7,644 TEUs of cargo, up 163 percent year on year. The Xiang'ou (Changsha-Europe) Railway transported 53,000 tonnes of cargo from January to May worth 248 million US dollars.
Li also said, China-Europe cargo trains were still in primary stage now, with developing infrastructure and weak supporting services along the traffic lines. Meanwhile, the transportation cost was relative high with less convenience.
Wu Jingyu, director with coordination service center of China Communications and Transportation Association said, at present, the development of China-Europe freight train is smooth and positive. The Chinese government should give support rather than interventions too much. Li emphasized the China-Europe freight train is a kind of special service oriented product at the present stage, which should insist on combing government support with market management.
Li said, the National Development and Reform Commission will accelerate the construction of brand-building for China-Europe cargo trains, jointly with China Railway Corp., and establish a better logistics services platform.
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