China, October 2026 – The China-Europe Railway Express has exceeded 140,000 cumulative trips nationwide, marking a major milestone in the development of China's international rail freight network. The achievement was recorded on 22 October when a Moscow-bound freight train departed from Puhe Railway Station in Shenyang, Liaoning province. Since operations began in 2011, the service has transported goods valued at more than US$560 billion.
The network has expanded significantly over the past decade. Annual train movements increased from 1,702 in 2016 to 20,022 in 2025, representing average annual growth of more than 30%. Within China, 96 scheduled routes connect 132 cities across the western, central and eastern corridors. Internationally, the network operates through northern, central and southern routes, reaching 237 cities in 26 European countries and more than 100 cities in 12 Asian countries.
The southern corridor has recorded particularly strong growth, with 746 train movements during the first nine months of 2026, representing a 125% increase compared with the same period in 2025. The network has also strengthened its cross-border connections through rail-sea intermodal services, including routes linking China with Central Asia and destinations beyond the Caspian Sea. These developments provide additional freight options for businesses operating across regions without direct railway connections.
The range of transported goods has expanded beyond traditional industrial commodities to include machinery, automobiles, automotive components, electrical equipment, agricultural products, timber and consumer goods. In the first quarter of 2026, Chinese exports of automobiles and automotive parts through the network increased by 46% year on year. Meanwhile, improvements to scheduled services have reduced transit times, with journeys between Xi'an and Duisburg taking as little as 11 days, compared with approximately 15 days previously.
The milestone reflects the growing role of international rail freight in diversifying global supply chains and improving trade connectivity between inland manufacturing centres and overseas markets. With China planning further improvements to infrastructure, alternative routes, border coordination and rail-sea integration under its 2026–2030 development strategy, the China-Europe Railway Express is expected to remain an important component of Eurasian logistics and international freight transportation.
Source: The Star
China-Europe Railway Express Surpasses 140,000 Trips Since Launch
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Cross-border rail freight has become an increasingly important component of Eurasian trade, offering manufacturers an alternative to maritime and air transportation. China's China-Europe Railway Express has surpassed 140,000 cumulative train journeys since its launch in 2011, with the network now connecting hundreds of cities across Asia and Europe and transporting goods valued at more than US$560 billion.
