China-Europe freight train trips up 10.8-fold in a decade

China-Europe freight train services have expanded rapidly over the past decade, with the annual number of trips increasing 10.8-fold since the launch of the unified China-Europe Railway Express brand in 2016, according to data released by China State Railway Group on Thursday.

The number of China-Europe freight train trips rose from 1,702 in 2016 to 20,022 in 2025, representing an average annual growth rate of 31.5%. Since 2020, annual operations have consistently exceeded 10,000 trips.

The rail network has also significantly expanded its reach. As of 2025, 129 Chinese cities had launched China-Europe freight train services, connecting with 236 cities in 26 European countries. Compared with 2016, this represents an increase of 113 Chinese cities and 216 European destinations.

According to the railway operator, the network now covers most parts of Eurasia, strengthening trade and logistics links between Asia and Europe.

To improve efficiency and reliability, 22 scheduled freight train services now operate weekly between nine Chinese cities and six European cities. These fixed-timetable services are designed to meet the transportation needs of high-end manufacturing industries and have helped foster new business models, including rail-linked cross-border e-commerce and industrial parks.

The China-Europe Railway Express has continued its strong momentum this year. By June 10, the service had surpassed 10,000 trips and transported more than 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), setting new records for the same period in a year.