China, June 2026 — The China-Europe Railway Express has recorded substantial expansion since the unified service brand was launched in 2016. According to China State Railway Group, annual freight train journeys increased from 1,702 services in 2016 to 20,022 in 2025—representing a 10.8-fold increase and an average annual growth rate of 31.5%. Since 2020, the network has consistently operated more than 10,000 train services each year.
The freight network has also significantly expanded its geographical reach. By the end of 2025, services connected 129 Chinese cities with 236 cities across 26 European countries, extending rail freight coverage across much of Eurasia. To improve service reliability, China State Railway Group now operates 22 scheduled weekly freight services linking nine Chinese cities with six European destinations, providing predictable transit times for manufacturers and logistics providers.
For the rail sector, the sustained growth demonstrates the increasing role of international rail freight in supporting global supply chains. Fixed-timetable operations have improved service consistency for high-value manufacturing industries while encouraging new business models, including cross-border e-commerce, inland logistics hubs, and rail-oriented industrial parks. Rail continues to provide a competitive alternative for cargo requiring faster delivery than sea freight at a lower cost than air transport.
The network has maintained strong momentum in 2026. By 10 June, China-Europe Railway Express services had already exceeded 10,000 train journeys and transported more than one million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), establishing new records for the same period of the year. The milestone reflects growing international demand for resilient and diversified freight corridors linking Asia with European markets.
The decade-long expansion highlights the strategic importance of cross-border rail in strengthening trade connectivity across Eurasia. As governments and logistics operators continue investing in rail infrastructure, digital operations, and intermodal facilities, international freight rail is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting efficient, resilient, and sustainable global supply chains.
Source: CGTN
China-Europe Rail Freight Network Marks Decade of Rapid Expansion
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Cross-border rail freight is becoming an increasingly important component of Eurasian trade, offering a balance between the speed of air freight and the cost advantages of maritime shipping. The China-Europe Railway Express has completed a decade of significant growth, with annual services and network coverage reaching record levels across Asia and Europe.
