CCTV9英语新闻：Trains linking China, Europe on the fast track

Looks like a comfortable and fun experience travelling with the new trains. Pandeng. And surely, with summer holidays approaching, we expect to see a boost in domestic trips.

Tongxuan, any updates about cargo trains?

The number of cargo trains connecting China with Europe and other parts of Asia climbed to 62, thanks to the Belt and Road initiative. So far 28 Chinese provinces have launched direct cargo trains routes with Europe, taking the ancient road into a brand-new future.

There are three rail channels -- a western route through the Alataw Pass in Xinjiang to Kazakhstan, a middle path via Erenhot to Mongolia, and through Manzhouli in northeast China to Russia. Many Chinese cities are now connected to European cities like Hamburg, Lyons and Madrid -- making trade very fast and lucrative.

Here's a good example: goods produced in Wuhan can reach over 20 countries along the line. And over 300 trains are expected to set out this year from the city.

The western municipality of Chongqing also sent 490 trains to Europe in 2015. And exports are only half the story. In northeast China, Russian imports are all the rage, as a freight train began running to Europe last year. The Changchun-Manzhouli-Europe line has transported cargo worth more than 35-million euros since August last year. And in return, the trains have brought in cheap, novelty goods like vodka, tiramisu and wild Siberian honey. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce reports trade between China and countries involved in the "Belt and Road" initiative totalled $995 billion in 2015, about a quarter of the national trade volume. Experts say the China-Europe freight channels is definitely playing a part in reviving the ancient Silk Road.