Changing cargo

The cargo carried by the Chang'an trains has evolved over time, embracing a more diverse range of goods, including green and cultural products.

A decade ago, the primary exports were bulky machinery and equipment. However, today, the focus has shifted to high-end products such as new energy cars and solar panels. Imports now predominantly consist of high value-added items such as cars, automotive parts, and wine, according to Yuan.

One of the most notable recent endeavors involves the transportation of photovoltaic components. Since early August, 60 trains have been dedicated to carrying nearly 3,000 containers of PV components to Uzbekistan for a 1-gigawatt PV project.

The initiative is expected to generate 2.4 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, reducing carbon emissions by 2.4 million tons, according to the China Energy Engineering Corp, the project's constructor. Cultural products have also found a place in the cargo mix. On March 7, the Chang'an trains initiated a "culture class" freight line to North Kazakhstan. The special shipment included products crafted using China's intangible cultural heritage techniques.

"The China-Europe freight train helps facilitate the flow of goods between East and West. It also serves as a bridge for cultural communications between East and West," said Dong Xuebing, deputy dean of the Research Center for Regional Coordinated Development at Zhejiang University, in Zhejiang province.