The China-Europe freight train service, a sprawling trade network stitching together economies across the Eurasian continent, is unleashing vast new opportunities for countries along its route through greater connectivity, paving the way for shared prosperity, said an expert on globalization.
As a cornerstone project of the Belt and Road Initiative, China-Europe freight trains have established a vast logistics network across Eurasia. As of October 2025, the service has expanded its operational network to 232 cities in 26 European countries and over 100 cities across 11 Asian countries.
At the heart of this monumental initiative is Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, an ancient capital that served as the starting point of the ancient Silk Road for more than 1,000 years. Today, that trade legacy is reborn in the cross-continent rail network dubbed the modern "steel camel caravans."
In an exclusive interview with Shaanxi Broadcasting Group, Victor Gao Zhikai, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, expounded on how the ambitious project has emerged as a transformative force for trade and development across the Eurasian continent and beyond.
"Now we have this new connectivity, some of the lines originating from Xi'an in particular, and throughout China. There are many other cities which are the starting points of their connectivity through Xi'an to west China, to the Chinese border with Kazakhstan, and now with several other central Asian countries," he said.
This renewed connectivity is more than just a commercial route. According to Gao, it boosts productivity, raises living standards, and creates millions of jobs along its extensive network, particularly in the landlocked nations of Central Asia, who have struggled for centuries to access distant markets.
"And I think the excitement of this is that it really improves the productivity and the efficiency of moving goods back and forth, and it actually improves the living standards of the people throughout this long line of connectivity and creates millions of jobs in different countries. Especially, it is meaningful for many of the central Asian countries because many of them are landlocked, traditionally, and find it very difficult to have access to markets far away. I think this lays a much better groundwork for peace and prosperity, stability and development," said the expert.
In an era of rising protectionism and trade tensions, the China-Europe freight train service stands as a robust "champion project for free trade."
"It also serves as a major counterweight to what we witness in some other countries, like de-globalization or reverse globalization, or trying to set up artificial barriers to prevent trade among nations or even try to sabotage free trade. So, in essence, the railway and highway connectivity projects originating from Xi'an and Shaanxi in particular are a champion project for free trade. And we believe in free trade," said Gao.
The hope, Gao says, is that the opportunity and prosperity brought by these projects will bring and stability and peace to all participating nations.
"Through our connectivity on the Eurasian Continent, we believe we can turn the whole Eurasian Continent and Africa and the much larger geographical region into exciting and promising places of preserving and defending prosperity, development, stability, and peace for the benefit of all the participating nations," said the expert.
China-Europe freight train network drives Eurasian connectivity, shared prosperity: expert
China-Europe freight train network drives Eurasian connectivity, shared prosperity: expert
A new generation of Chinese professionals is reshaping the meaning of work by trading rigid office hours for digital flexibility, mobile offices, and career paths rooted in innovation.
In today's fast-paced world, the traditional 9-to-5 workday is no longer the dominant path to success, especially in cities like Hangzhou, one of China's leading e-commerce and digital innovation hubs. Here, a new wave of professionals is choosing when and where to work, creating value on their own terms.
From livestream studios to factory floors, these workers are embracing flexible hours, mobile offices, and a broader definition of expertise and impact. "My classmates followed the traditional path: labs, hospitals, classrooms. My path looks different. But it's still a path of expertise. Here in my stream, I break down the science behind a product, to build trust with an audience. My degree isn't just a title, here, it's credibility," said Lou Han, who holds a PhD in Pharmacology and now works as a livestream host at Yowant Technology.
Beyond credentials, freedom and flexibility are prized in this new work culture.
"I mean it's good to have clear shifts: day, night, with clear boundaries. But for me I would always want more freedom, to avoid rush hour, and work when my energy and creativity peak. It's not about a better path. It's that we finally have more choices of paths," Lou said.
With new paths come new offices, ones that go far beyond four walls.
Cao Difan, head of Livestream Business at Yowant Technology, said he studied TV production and spent years working in traditional media, starting out as a director for reality shows at a local television station. However, by 2015, the rise of new media in China felt like a revolution to him, an opportunity he was eager to be part of.
Cao left behind broadcast studios in Changsha to join Hangzhou's digital boom, and he never looked back.
"My workday usually starts in the afternoon, when I head to the studio. The first thing I do is check the live stream to ensure everything is running smoothly. Then, I'll dive into performance data, all of this is easy to do when everyone is in the same space. We can talk and analyze things instantly," Cao said.
"In this bustling hub of digital innovation, I hope to tap into the future of the industry and create something new. So are so many others who are drawn to our industry because they want to be a part of the digital transformation. Gone are the days when people would sit in front of a TV screen. Now, everyone's watching on their phones, and that shift in behavior has changed the way people approach their careers. However, the trade-off is also real behind mobile workspaces and hugely increased income means a much more intense workload," he said.
The impact of digital labor doesn't stop at the camera lens.
"Before we fully committed to live-streaming as our main sales channel, we had only three production lines. Our first major livestream brought in 40 million yuan (5.75 million U.S. dollars ) in sales. Within six months, we expanded to 20 lines. Our team grew from 30 people to over 600," said Wu Yue, co-founder of Duowei.
But Wu said it's not just about faster scaling, it's about smarter systems.
"This new model is far more efficient than the traditional path. From the beginning, we built this brand for the new retail era, starting with livestreams, driving online sales, then expanding to physical stores. The old model relied on distributors, wholesalers, and retailers before reaching the customer. Feedback was slow. Now, our data analysts capture real-time reactions straight from the live chat. That raw input goes directly to our research and development team to improve products. The entire cycle, from feedback to upgrade, is faster and far more precise," Wu said.
From a single stream to millions in sales, and from the factory floor to the home office, this new digital economy is unlocking a world of possibilities.
Digital shift redefines work for young Chinese
