The number of China-Europe freight trains setting off from Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, will hit 1,000 this year, more than double of last year's figure.

The number was released at the 17th China International Transportation and Logistics Expo (CITLE) being held in Chengdu from Wednesday to Friday.

 The 17th China International Transportation and Logistics Expo being held in Chengdu. /CITLE Photo

CITLE is organized by the China Communications and Transportation Association (CCTA) and Advanced Sino Gold International Exhibition Co., Ltd. (ASG). It is a professional expo and the key event of the 13th China International Logistics Week.

More than 400 China-Europe freight train trips were made from Chengdu in 2016, which topped freight train services among Chinese cities, according to Chen Zhongwei, a customs logistics official in Chengdu, at the meeting.

Chengdu, one of the largest trade centers in southwest China, has three freight train routes to Europe, including the middle line to Poland's central city of Lodz, the north line to Moscow in Russia and the south line to Istanbul in Turkey, he said.

 Attendees at the 17th China International Transportation and Logistics Expo. /CITLE Photo

"The freight trains have reduced Chinese cities' reliance on marine transport for export cargo and sped up the opening up for inland cities," Chen noted.

He added the freight train service from Chengdu is expected to link up all European cities in five years.

Before expanding beyond the Chinese border, the train service also connected Chengdu with eight Chinese cities, with the number set to increase to 11 this year, he said.

Visitors throng the 17th China International Transportation and Logistics Expo in Chengdu. /CITLE Photo

More than 1,000 business representatives from over 100 Chinese and foreign cities attended the three-day event in Chengdu, which is also famous for giant pandas.

(With input from Xinhua)