WUHAN -- A cargo train loaded with Chinese liquor left the central China city of Wuhan bound for Duisburg, Germany on Thursday.

It is the first Wuhan-Europe cargo train carrying Chinese food products to Europe. The train is expected to reach the German city in around 14 days.

The Wuhan-Europe freight route, which was launched in 2012, is an express cargo train linking Wuhan with more than 20 European cities.

As of October 20, some 277 trains carrying a total of 25,000 containers have travelled the route this year.

A number of mainland cities -- including Chongqing and Chengdu in southwest China; Wuhan, Zhengzhou and Changsha in central China; and Shenyang in northeast China -- have rail freight services to Europe.