A group of representatives from 12 overseas media agencies visited the headquarters of Shandong Hi-speed Logistics Group in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, on Sept 10 to get a better understanding of the Qilu Europe-Asia freight train.

The train, operated by "Qilu" China Railway Express, a subsidiary of Shandong Hi-speed Logistics Group, plays an important role in Shandong's opening-up and the Belt and Road Initiative. It travels between Shandong province and Europe, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia, and directly links Jinan with 12 countries.

From January to June, the train made 81 trips from Jinan carrying 65,000 metric tons of cargo worth $155 million.

The foreign journalists got the opportunity to tour the command and control center of "Qilu" China Railway Express, while Liu Ying, deputy general manager of the company, described the freight train's many achievements.

"'Qilu' China railway Express has opened a new international logistics channel between Asia and Europe in order to more efficiently export European products to Eurasian countries," said Liu.

To further promote economic and trade exchange between Jinan and countries along the Belt and Road, Shandong Hi-speed Logistics Group is looking to expand "Qilu" China Railway Express's business scope to include international trade, cross-border e-commerce, supply chain finance and industrial parks, according to Geng Wei, deputy general manager of the company.

Shandong Hi-speed Logistics Group is a large State-owned enterprise which focuses on the investment, construction, operation, and management of transportation infrastructure and intelligent transportation, the comprehensive development of land supporting transportation infrastructure, logistics and related services, as well as investment and management of financial assets.

So far, the company has registered capital of 23.3 billion yuan and total assets of 67.18 billion yuan, has done business in 22 provinces in China and 106 countries and regions around the world, and has made the list of "Top 500 Chinese Enterprises" for more than 10 years in a row.

Foreign journalists listen to an introduction of "Qilu" China Railway Express at Shandong Hi-speed Logistics Group in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, on Sept 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A reporter from Russia watches a video about Qilu" China Railway Express at Shandong Hi-speed Logistics Group in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, on Sept 10. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]