Number of China-Europe freight trains hits new high

BEIJING - The number of China-Europe freight trains hit a record high of 10,180 this year, as of Thursday, data from the China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. showed Friday.

Freight trains have played a crucial role in helping stabilize the international logistics supply chain, transporting 927,000 twenty-foot equivalent units of cargo as of Thursday, up 54 percent from a year earlier, according to the company.

Increasing demand for the freight trains came amid China's economic recovery and limited international air and sea transport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the period, anti-epidemic supplies totaling 7.51 million items and weighing 62,000 tonnes were sent to Europe by freight trains.

Faced with the impact of COVID-19, China's railway department has been strengthening international cooperation to ensure the smooth operation of international logistics channels.

Meanwhile, the railway department has also improved the capacity and efficiency of customs clearance, the company said.