Railway staff check containers on a China-Europe freight train. [Photo/Jinan Daily]

China-Europe freight trains have become an important carrier link and bright business card for Jinan in Shandong province to expand its opening-up to the outside world and participate more deeply in the Belt and Road Initiative.

On Aug 4, 2017, Jinan launched its first China-Europe freight train to Moscow, six years after the country opened the first China-Europe freight train.

"Jinan started late, but has developed quickly," said Geng Lei, general manager of Shandong Hi-Speed Guochu Logistics Co, which is responsible for operating Jinan's China-Europe freight trains.

In 2019, Jinan launched 158 trains, a year-on-year increase of 410 percent. In 2020, despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jinan operated 542 China-Europe freight trains, up 243 percent from the previous year.

In 2021, this growth continued, rising 41 percent to reach 764 trains, ranking Jinan seventh among all cities in the country by this metric. In 2022, the number of services exceeded 800, ranking it first in Shandong for the third consecutive year.

Data provided by Quancheng Customs on Oct 15 showed that in the first three quarters of this year, Jinan opened 660 China-Europe freight trains, up 46.66 percent year-on-year, serving 701 companies in the city, 81 of which are new companies.

After six years of development, Jinan China-Europe trains have opened port routes such as Manzhouli, Erenhot, Alashankou, Horgos and Suifenhe, reaching 20 countries and 47 cities. Almost 3,000 trains have been operated, serving more than 3,000 foreign trade companies.