The New Silk Road Logistics Forum held in Duisburg, Germany, on September 21, drew the participation of over 20 representatives from China and Germany, reinforcing the Sino-German logistics industry and charting a sustainable future for the China Railway Express (CR Express) to Europe.

The forum host of Yuxinou, the Chongqing-based operating company for the CR Express, plays a pivotal role as a bridge between Chongqing and Duisburg under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The China-Europe freight train service symbolizes a mutually beneficial relationship between the two regions.

Guests attend the New Silk Road Logistics Forum in Duisburg, Germany, on September 21, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Fan)

Duisburg: Western Europe's foremost city for CR Express

Located at one end of the Silk Road Economic Belt, Duisburg serves as the terminal station for the Yuxinou (Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe) railway, reinforcing its status as a vital international logistics hub in Western Europe.

Yuxinou is the first Chinese company to inaugurate the China Railway Express and the only company possessing independent property rights for overseas warehouses in Duisburg. The company has successfully established a cooperative environment with local businesses in Duisburg.

"In the decade since this train service was initiated, Duisburg has evolved into Western Europe's foremost city for China Railway Express, boasting the most routes, flights, and highest volume and value," said Soeren Link, Mayor of Duisburg.

Over 100 Chinese companies have established their offices in Duisburg, focusing primarily on the logistics and e-commerce sectors. The China Railway Express (Yuxinou) has also reached significant milestones, operating 14,000 heavy-box trains and transporting over 1.2 million TEUs.

Chongqing and Germany are ideal partners for cooperation

Chongqing and Germany share complementary economic interests, making them ideal partners for collaboration. Chongqing is keen on developing industries like electronic information, automobiles, and motorcycles, aligning closely with Germany's strongholds in automobiles, machinery, and materials.

Zhou Shulin, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd., outlined three critical initiatives aimed at the high-quality and sustainable growth of the China Railway Express.

These initiatives include creating a high-quality development indicator system, improving the rules and standards for a safer operation, and fortifying international production capacity cooperation.

Zhou emphasized the significance of the China Railway Express in bolstering economic and cultural ties between mainland China and the BRI nations. This move has positioned Chongqing as an emerging Asian trade hub.