Unbreakable bond spans decades

Promoting trade

It has also assisted many local enterprises in expanding into the European market, enhancing the city's brand and visibility, and promoting regional international economic and trade development, she said.

"As an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Europe Railway Express (Wuhan) has played a significant role in promoting the exchange and cooperation of economic and trade between China and Germany, as well as political and cultural exchanges," she added.

In 2016, Wuhan Asia-Europe Logistics opened its subsidiary in Duisburg, marking a new stage of accelerated development for the China-Europe Railway Express (Wuhan).

Living in Germany for years, Wu Min has witnessed the development brought to Duisburg by the express.

"At first, the German side did not expect the China-Europe Railway Express to develop so well. However, over the past decade, the China-Europe Railway Express has been thriving. Many Chinese companies have since settled in Duisburg, creating new economic development opportunities," Wu Min said. "Thus, Duisburg now pays more attention to its relationship with Wuhan and China."

He believes that Duisburg's unique transportation conditions by sea, land, and air will make it a distinctive logistics center. With the development of Internet of Things technology, the integration of artificial intelligence with logistics enterprises will lead to the rapid development of industrial enterprises, forming an interconnected ecosystem in the surrounding areas.

Moreover, both Duisburg and Wuhan consider the hydrogen energy industry as one of the emerging development directions, which will create opportunities for cooperation between the two sides, he said.