Efforts to boost rail connectivity across Eurasia have sometimes been hampered by countries blocking the passage of China-Europe freight trains, a Chinese expert has warned, calling on governments to look beyond political differences and ensure smooth trade for the benefits of all involved.
The China-Europe Railway Express service, a major connectivity project under the Belt and Road Initiative, has created a comprehensive logistics network across Eurasia. From 2013 to 2024, the value of goods transported by these trains grew 33-fold, with the service's share in China-Europe trade rising from 0.4 percent to 8.5 percent.
However, despite its rapid expansion, there have still been politically motivated disruptions to the freight service in recent years.
"There have been occasions where we saw certain countries try to block the connectivity projects, blocking the trains, the carriages or the goods to be transported back and forth. Now they may come up with whatever technical reasons to justify such blockage," said Gao Zhikai, vice president of the Center for China and Globalization, a leading Chinese think tank based in Beijing.
However, he noted that such actions undermine the core purpose of international trade.
"But allow me to emphasize one point, I think the more we have for the free exchange of goods and services, the better it will be for all the participating countries and people involved. Because this is not based on ideology. This is not based on geopolitics. This is purely based on maximizing the benefits of trade and commerce for all the participating countries, their people, their companies, their society at large," Gao argued.
Gao called on countries along the route to refrain from blocking trade, stressing the importance of providing more convenience and flexibility for cross-border business.
"So, I would call on all countries not to block the trade, and try to do their best to provide convenience and flexibility to enable the trade to go through, and to make sure that all of us win the benefit of such expanded and much faster and more efficient trade," he said.
Expert calls for removing geopolitical barriers to China-Europe Railway Express service
The promotional video for China Media Group (CMG)'s 2026 Spring Festival Gala was displayed on Friday on screens in major business districts in Kenya, sending the first New Year's wishes to the locals and Chinese people living in the East African country.
This year's Spring Festival, or the traditional Chinese New Year, which falls on February 17, marks the beginning of the Year of the Horse in Chinese culture. It is one of the most important holidays in China, celebrated with family reunions and wishes for good luck in the upcoming year.
The promotional video features a golden horse bringing good fortune. The festive decorations, joyous songs and dances, and sounds of firecrackers drew the attention of passersby in the country.
After watching the video, locals expressed their anticipation for the Spring Festival Gala and their best wishes for the New Year.
“It brings a lot of hope and prosperity and new beginnings also, because it comes with new opportunities. So for myself, I expect it to become a growth here, to be able to achieve more, to be able to do more also and learn more from my family, my friends, also friends of different cultures as well, as Chinese, as right now I have a Chinese frien,” said Sean, a local resident.
“I've just watched the video and from the first scene to the last scene, it's pretty much interesting. It's giving me the fun vibe, the dances and the songs, and it has left me wondering for more, like I need to know more about the gala. Being the Year of the Horse means even more success and strength for myself. I wish myself more success, to achieve the dreams that I have for this year, but for myself and for my family. And between Kenya and China I wish for more business, in tourism, culture and communication,” said Brian, another resident.
For Chinese people living away from home, the Spring Festival Gala is one of the most distinctive cultural symbols of the Spring Festival, as well as an emotional carrier connecting them with their hometown and memories.
“Wishing my family good health and everyone a happy Chinese New Year, all the best, and wish you the courage to gallop at the head in the Year of the Horse,” said Huang He, a Chinese resident living in Kenya.
Known as "Chunwan" in Chinese, the Spring Festival gala has been broadcast live annually since 1983 and is regarded as a major cultural symbol for the Chinese New Year celebrations in China.
Spring Festival Gala promo delivers new year wishes to people in Kenya
