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
