Expert hails China-Europe freight train as champion project for free trade

China champions free trade and market-oriented practices, as exemplified by the China-Europe freight train service, which enhances Eurasian connectivity and promotes win-win development, according to Victor Gao Zhikai, vice president of Center for China and Globalization.

"China is unique in the sense that it is really the champion of defending free trade and defending market practice, and also promotes the win-win paradigm of development. Because China believes if we are serious in engaging in trade with each other, both of us and all of us will be better off," Gao said in an exclusive interview with Shaanxi Broadcasting Group.

"Allow me to emphasize especially for the benefit of the European countries, without free trade, there will be no fair trade. So, free trade is the precondition for any fair trade you want to expect. And we are living in such a fast-changing world today that it is critically important for us to decide what is the principle we cannot afford not to defend, and that is free trade, that is free market, that is respect for each other's sovereignty, and territorial integrity and independence of each country, rather than, for example, pointing a gun at the head of other countries and then try to bully other countries, or even seize the land, and the wealth, and the riches of other countries," Gao said.

The China-Europe freight train service is a good example of connectivity. As of October 2025, the service had 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".

Gao praised the rail service for promoting free trade, facilitating economic activities, and enhancing people-to-people exchanges.

"I think the railway connectivity originating from Xi'an, westward all the way linking central Asia and Europe at large, is one of the champion projects calling for free trade and economic engagement and people-to-people exchanges. And this is the highway and the better way for all the countries to learn about and to enjoy," said Gao.

Expert hails China-Europe freight train as champion project for free trade

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with visiting Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith in Beijing on Friday to discuss relations between their two countries, saying that China is willing to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with Laos.

Noting that this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Laos, Li said China is also willing to deepen cooperation with Laos in the fields of trade and investment, railways, energy and minerals, the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges, accelerate the construction of the China-Laos Economic Corridor, enhance multilateral cooperation and coordination, promote the building of a China-Laos community with a shared future to a higher level, and continuously improve the well-being of the two peoples.

At the meeting, Thongloun Sisoulith, also general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, expressed appreciation for China's long-standing support and assistance to Laos. He said Laos will firmly adhere to the one-China principle, strengthen practical cooperation with China in various fields, and promote the building of a Laos-China community with a shared future to achieve more results.

Chinese premier meets visiting Lao president on relations