Transcontinental freight train enters regular operation to facilitate trade between north China, central Europe

A transcontinental freight train service initiated by north China's Shijiazhuang City entered its regular operation on Thursday to facilitate the trade between the northern Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region and Central European region including Hungary and Serbia.

Following the service's "normalization", a train carrying 32 million yuan (about 4.92 million U.S. dollars) worth of goods is set to exit China through the westbound port Alashankou in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and is expected to arrive in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, in 18 days. After a brief transit and distribution, some of the goods will continue to be transported by the train to the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

"The cargo on this train is mainly from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and consists primarily of machinery and equipment, carbon steel fittings, auto parts, and other goods, totaling 110 TEUs (twenty-food equivalent units). The regular operation of the freight train service will become a new link for economic and trade exchanges between the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and Hungary, Serbia, bringing China and Central and Eastern Europe closer while enhancing the economic exchanges between the two sides," said Liu Jinpeng, general manager of Shijiazhuang International Land Port.

"Starting today, the freight train will operate once a week, which is helpful in promoting the export of new energy vehicles, photovoltaic components, machinery and equipment, and other products. This will transform mutual trust and friendly cooperation into tangible results," said Liu Ruiling, general manager of Hebei International Land Port Co., Ltd.

In recent years, bilateral trade between China and Hungary, as well as China and Serbia, has grown rapidly. The Shijiazhuang International Land Port has continuously expanded its "circle of friends" with 17 international routes connecting eight entry and exit ports, reaching over 50 countries and regions in Asia and Europe.

As of now, over 1,500 China-Europe freight trains have been operated from the port, exporting products made in China worth over 28 billion yuan (about 4.31 billion U.S. dollars) to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. This has significantly promoted the high-level opening-up of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Transcontinental freight train enters regular operation to facilitate trade between north China, central Europe

Transcontinental freight train enters regular operation to facilitate trade between north China, central Europe

Transcontinental freight train enters regular operation to facilitate trade between north China, central Europe

Transcontinental freight train enters regular operation to facilitate trade between north China, central Europe

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