First China-Britain freight train arrives back in China

The first London-Yiwu cargo train carrying British products arrives at Yiwu West Station in Yiwu, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 29, 2017. London is the 15th European city on an expanding map of destinations for China's rail cargo. The first Chinese freight train arrived in London in January. (Xinhua/Zhang Cheng)

BEIJING, April 29 -- The first freight train traveling from Britain back to China reached its destination in eastern China's Yiwu city on Saturday after a 19 day journey, according to the China Railway Corporation (CRC).

The trans-continental freight train, loaded with 32 containers, mainly carrying maternity products and soft drinks, departed from London on April 10.

Having traveled more than 12,000 kilometers, it passed through seven countries before reaching the Chinese manufacturing and trade hub where small goods such as homeware, garments and souvenirs are made.

London is the 15th city in Europe added to China-Europe freight train services. The first Chinese freight train arrived in London in January.

The China-Britain freight service paves a safe and efficient trade route by land, strengthening bilateral trade ties and better serving the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative, according to the CRC.

China now has express freight services to 28 European cities. Since March 2011, more than 3,500 trips have been made. The figure should rise to 5,000 by 2020.