Belt and Road Initiative provides G20 with new ideas of cooperation
- Zhu Sheng
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E-mail Xinhua, July 11, 2017
The freight volume of Eurasian railway lines has steadily increased since the operation of China-Europe freight train service. It is estimated that the volume will exceed 1 million standard containers by 2030, according to Kowalski.
Shan Jing, business development manager of Far East Land Bridge Ltd.(FELB), said the China-Europe freight train service also facilitates the transport of goods between Europe and other Asian countries such as Japanand South Korea.
Currently, the trans-continental trains operated by FELB depart mainly from cities including Suzhou and Changsha in southern China, leaving China from Manchuria in the northeast. Every week, three or four trains arrive in European cities such as Warsaw, Duisburg, Hamburg and Milan.
In addition, Shan said the Belt and Road Initiative brings opportunities to countries along Eurasian railway routes to promote freight transport capacity through improving railway infrastructure and organizing the railway transport system.
Germany's International Rail Freight Business Association (IBS), which partly functions as promoter or lobbyist for efficient train systems and mechanisms in the European Union(EU), welcomes the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative.
IBS Chairman Olaf Krueger said the initiative may provide great opportunities for countries to modernize the existing rail lines and create new transport corridors.
In addition, the direct rail link between Chinese cities and western Europe offers a new option for shippers. Some European business people call it an "artery" as it injects fresh blood into the existing European rail freight corridors or networks.
Success stories like the China-Europe freight train service are believed to be significant to leaders to attend the G20 Hamburg summit themed "Shaping an Interconnected World."
Chinese President Xi Jinpingwill attend the G20 Hamburg summit following a state visit to Germany. Xi has called on the G20 group to continue to champion globalization and innovative growth.
The Belt and Road Initiative has won support from over 100 countries and international organizations around the world.
