China, Spain mark 10th anniversary of Europe freight train service

Representatives of Chinese and Spanish government and business circle on Wednesday held a ceremony in Spain's capital Madrid to mark the tenth anniversary of the launch of the "Yiwu-Madrid" China-Europe freight train service.

The "Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe" freight train, also known as the "Yiwu-Madrid" route, embarked on its inaugural journey from east China's Yiwu City, the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities, on November 18, 2014. Exiting China through the westbound port Alashankou in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, the train route links Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, and France before reaching its western end Madrid, with the entire journey spanning 21 days.

The Chinese and Spanish representatives marked the anniversary with a train departure ceremony, underscoring the freight service's decade-long contributions to trade growth between the two nations.

"For Madrid, marking the tenth anniversary of the (Yiwu-Madrid) freight train route is very important. This route has brought significant benefits to the people of Madrid, symbolizing unity between the people of the two nations in a sense," said Borja Fanjul, president of the Cibeles Plenary of the Madrid City Council.

"The 'Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe' freight train has been running for ten years now and has made significant contributions to the Chinese community. It has provided much convenience for us. It has greatly shortened the travel time from Yiwu to Madrid and the number of trains has increased significantly since its operation," said Zhu Xiaohai, president of the Qingtian Association of Spain, an association of overseas Chinese.

The China-Europe freight train service has surged from one trip annually to over 500 per year. In 2015, it expanded to include a return route from Madrid to Yiwu. Originally dedicated to transporting small commodities from Yiwu, the train now carries a variety of high-tech and high-value products, according to Feng Xubin, chairman of the freight train service operator. In the presence of representatives from China and Spain, a freight train loading 70 TEUs of automotive parts, wine, and other goods departed from Madrid for Yiwu, marking the conclusion of the departure ceremony.

"The opening of 'Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe' freight train route is a great encouragement for us spiritually. Our country's train can travel from Yiwu to Madrid, which was unimaginable in the past. Now, it has become a reality," said Mao Feng, an overseas Chinese in Spain.

"Every year, Spain and China strengthen their relationship, showing a strong desire for growth and sharing common goals. Their trade relations continue to grow and expand," said Alberto Herranz, director of INTERPORC, a pork industry association in Spain.

China, Spain mark 10th anniversary of Europe freight train service

A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Lai Ching-te has sent "a dangerous signal" of seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations to undermine cross-Strait peace and stability in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader on Monday.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, described Lai's speech as one that stubbornly followed the "Taiwan independence" stance, wantonly advocated separatism, incited cross-Strait confrontation and sought independence by relying on foreign support and by force.

Chen said the mainstream public aspiration on the island is for peace and development, instead of war and recession, while Lai has ignored the public opinion, exposing his nature of being "a worker for Taiwan independence."

The current complex and grave situation across the Strait is rooted in the fact that the Democratic Progressive Party has stubbornly stuck to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," rejected the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, and kept colluding with external forces to make provocations of seeking "Taiwan independence," Chen said.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, said Chen, stressing that "Taiwan independence" and peace across the Strait are incompatible as fire and water.

"We have firm determination to resolve the Taiwan question and realize national reunification; we have strong capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and we will take resolute actions to fight separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence' and external interference," he said.

"We will never tolerate any 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts in any form," said Chen.

China must and will be reunified, Chen stressed. No matter how the situation on the island changes and who assumes the regional leader, it will not change the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, or impede the historical trend of national reunification, he said.

"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, unswervingly uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, work together with Taiwan compatriots to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and cross-Strait integrated development, and resolutely advance the reunification of the motherland," said Chen.

Mainland says Lai sends "dangerous signal" in speech as Taiwan's new leader