The China-Europe freight train has made great contributions to the global fight against the epidemic, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a news briefing on Wednesday.

File photo: CFP

This year’s first China-Europe freight train loaded with anti-epidemic supplies left Yiwu, Zhejiang province on Monday.

Latest data shows that the China-Europe freight train completed 10,000 trips in 2020, having met the consumer demand of countries along the route and built a “life channel” for China and Europe to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic together.

In ancient times, there was the Silk Road commercial camel caravan between Asia and Europe for economic and cultural exchanges, and today, it is the China-Europe freight train, Zhao said.

He added that as an important symbol of Belt and Road cooperation, the China-Europe freight train has unique advantages of high efficiency, wide routes and full-day services. Amid the global spread of the COVID-19, the “iron camel caravan” conveys the idea of a community with a shared future for mankind, making a significant contribution to international cooperation.

“We congratulate the successful departure of the first China-Europe freight train in the new year, and we hope it will benefit countries along the route, help the world fight the COVID-19, and contribute to Belt and Road cooperation”, Zhao said.

(Compiled by Liu Kechen)