When a Qilu China-Europe freight train operated by Shandong Hi-speed Group departed from Jinan to Uzbekistan on Nov 9, it marked the 600th China-Europe train to depart from Jinan this year.

The train, which is carrying 108 containers loaded with tires, engraving machines, and other goods, passed through Khorgos and will arrive in Tashkent after a 15-day journey.

Jinan launched its first China-Europe freight train in 2017, opening a new channel for foreign trade in Jinan and its surrounding areas.

To date, 1,343 China-Europe freight trains have departed from the city, which has maintained a growth rate of over 150 percent for three consecutive years.

The rapid development of China-Europe freight trains in Jinan has greatly bolstered the growth of the city's foreign trade.

According to data from the city's customs, Jinan's imports and exports were valued at 139.03 billion yuan ($21.75 billion) in the first three quarters of this year, up 32.1 percent year-on-year and 9.4 percentage points higher than the national average.

Jinan is actively exploring the "train +" business model, giving full play to the role of China-Europe freight trains.

The city piloted the "freight train + cross-border e-commerce" business model, providing an international logistics channel for the coordinated development of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River basins.

Jinan also launched its first cold chain train this year, benefiting the imports and exports of agriculture, animal husbandry, as well as fresh products in Shandong.