China committed to promoting global interconnectivity: FM spokesman

Describing the China-Europe freight train as a "epitome of China's cooperation with the world in connectivity", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday that China is committed to serving as a driving force for global interconnectivity.

According to the latest data, the China-Europe freight train has made over 110,000 trips, with the accumulative value of goods transported surpassing 450 billion U.S. dollars.

At a regular press briefing in Beijing, Lin emphasized the significance of the China-Europe freight train as a landmark achievement of the Belt and Road Initiative.

At present, a total of 128 Chinese cities have launched the China-Europe freight train service, reaching 229 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries, with departures averaging every half an hour, he said, citing the data.

"The efficient, stable and smooth operation of China-Europe freight train not only serves as a bridge for economic and trade exchanges between Asia and Europe, but also injects development momentum into countries along the route. The China-Europe freight train is a epitome of China's cooperation with the world in connectivity. Whether it is the smooth operation of the China-Laos Railway, the Western Land-Sea New Corridor trains, or the under-construction China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway, these new logistics channels have enhanced cross-border logistics efficiency, promoted personnel exchanges and trade, deepened industrial collaboration and value chain integration, driven industrial transformation and upgrading in related countries, and brought tangible benefits to local peoples," Lin said.

"Connectivity is a key area of cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. China will adhere to the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, continue to serve as a driving force for global interconnectivity, leverage our own development to benefit the world and achieve win-win outcomes for all parties," he said.

China committed to promoting global interconnectivity: FM spokesman

Cities across China have come to life with a surge of holiday shoppers, as consumption-boosting policies drive demand and lift confidence ahead of the Spring Festival.

The 2026 "Shopping in China" and Spring Festival Consumption Season was launched early this month, aiming to fuel a consumption boom through measures targeting goods, services, and diverse spending scenarios.

In downtown Xiamen City of east China's Fujian Province, a distinctive shopping district built on an old factory has become a popular new tourist attraction. It has introduced nearly 40 high-quality brands covering retail, entertainment, sports, and other fields, attracting a large number of citizens and tourists.

In north China's Tianjin Municipality, a newly built market space integrates cultural and creative product exhibitions, catering, leisure, and nearly 100 cultural performances, becoming a new choice for citizens and tourists during holidays. The city launched a three-month Spring Festival consumption season, creating a number of new consumption formats, models, and scenarios, such as exhibitions and ice and snow activities, to unleash consumption vitality.

In Liaoyang city, northeast China's Liaoning Province, an 80-hectare indoor temperature-controlled greenhouse garden brought a new cultural tourism format different from its iconic ice and snow season. Here, tourists can not only enjoy flowers and scenery but also buy local specialty agricultural products and watch Yangko dance performances.

This year, the eastern Chinese province of Anhui launched the 2026 Spring Festival consumption season for new energy vehicles (NEVs), reducing the cost of car purchases by issuing consumption vouchers together with trade-in subsidies.

In 2025, Anhui ranked first in the country in terms of automobile and NEV production, and maintained its leading position nationwide in vehicle exports which surpassed the one-million mark.

This year's Spring Festival begins on February 17, and heralds the Year of the Horse.

China’s 2026 consumption season fuels holiday shopping boom nationwide