C. China Henan's industrial city launches first China-Europe freight train to Western Europe

A China-Europe freight train loaded with 41 containers of mechanical equipment, anti-epidemic supplies and garments departed on Tuesday from the National Xinxiang Economic and Technological Development Zone located in Xinxiang, an important industrial city in central China's Henan Province, and headed for Liege, Belgium, reported Henan Daily.

This marks the first China-Europe freight train from Xinxiang to Western Europe, and the second international freight train route of the important industrial base in central China following the Xinxiang-Central Asia route that was launched in March 28, 2018.

The newly launched freight train will arrive at Liege in about 15 days, passing through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, and Germany.

The China-Europe freight train (Xinxiang-Western Europe) can reduce shipping time by 60 percent compared with sea transportation and save costs by 70 percent compared with air transportation, said Wang Jingshu, an official with the National Xinxiang Economic and Technological Development Zone.

A total of 200 freight trains will run on the Xinxiang-Western Europe route this year, with goods value expected to exceed 700 million U.S. dollars, according to Wang.

The launch of the China-Europe freight train (Xinxiang-Western Europe) will provide significant support for Xinxiang to open up further and contribute to the Belt and Road Initiative.