100,000th China-Europe freight train trip reaches Germany's Duisburg

The 100,000th trip of China-Europe freight train arrived in Duisburg, Germany on Tuesday morning, marking a historic milestone for this 13-year-old cross-continental artery.

The train, which had departed from southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, arrived at Duisburg, Germany's largest inland shipping hub, at 9:10, carrying electronics, industrial parts, and household appliances.

The cargo was quickly unloaded for distribution to various destinations across Europe.

At the celebration, Markus Teuber, China affairs commissioner of the City of Duisburg, emphasized that the China-Europe freight train service has brought significant development opportunities to Duisburg, strengthening economic ties and cultural exchange between Germany and China.

Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport), noted that Sino-German cooperation has expanded beyond traditional logistics to include port infrastructure and storage services, expressing optimism for further collaboration.

"The China-Europe freight train has connected key regions in China, Europe, and Duisburg, allowing us to reach major production hubs in China more efficiently. We believe more opportunities will arise in the future, with additional regions being included in the service," Bangen said.

The first China-Europe freight train set off from Chongqing for Duisburg in March 2011. On Nov 15, 2024, the 100,000th train service made the same journey, representing a historic moment.

Today, Duisburg has become a vital hub for the China-Europe freight train network in Western Europe, with the most extensive routes, the highest frequency, and the largest cargo volumes and value.

China hopes that South Korea will take effective measures to protect the safety and security of Chinese nationals and institutions in the country, which has been plunged into a political stalemate for the time being, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Wednesday.

Lin Jian, the spokesman, made the statement at a press conference in Beijing when answering a query concerning the short-lived imposition of martial law in South Korea.

China has noticed the relevant events and will not comment on South Korea's domestic affaird, Lin said, adding that China has advised its nationals in South Korea to take extra safety precautions.

China's position on the Korean Peninsula issue remains unchanged, Lin noted.