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

International cruise ships brought more than 8,000 tourists to Shanghai over the past weekend, underscoring the growing momentum of the city's tourism market.

Last Saturday, two cruise ships, the Spectrum of the Seas and Mein Schiff 6, arrived in Shanghai with nearly 6,000 tourists, setting a new single day record for daily inbound arrivals at the city's Wusongkou International Cruise Terminal.

Two more ships, the MSC Magnifica and Adora Magic City, arrived the next day, docking alongside Mein Schiff 6. For the first time this year, the terminal received three cruise ships docked simultaneously.

Impressed by China's customs services, tourists shared their feelings after landing.

"The service is very good, very fast. Everything is very quick," said a tourist.

"We're going to Disneyland. It's a cool trip," another tourist expressed her expectations.

During the two-day period, Shanghai port handled more than 20,000 passenger entries and exits, more than half of which were made by international travelers. Over 90 percent of them are benefiting from the visa-free policies.

"[I traveled from] Chengdu to here. I'm here to Beijing and Beijing to the UK," a tourist talked about his schedule, whose destinations in China all covered in the visa-free policies.

"Very good, excellent policy, and anything that reduces the amount of time. We had a week in ten days in China already, then we're gonna come back into the city to do some shopping," another senior visitor said.

Authorities have also introduced measures to improve the visa process.

"To ensure a smooth entry, officials will get on the ships in advance to perform inspections. So, passengers can start their trips as soon as they disembark. While at the airports, we have also provided an online submission system for arrival cards. That will also save their time," said Zhu Xiaoxiang, Deputy Director of Immigration Inspection Division under Shanghai General Station of Immigration Inspection.

So far this year, Shanghai's customs and immigration agents have processed more than ten million visitors, with 305,000 international passenger trips through cruise terminals, marking a prosperous tourism market.

Over 8,000 cruise passengers touch down in Shanghai, providing major tourism boost