By Yuling Chen, Deng Zhang, iChongqing

Chongqing- About Eight years' operation of China Railway Express (Chongqing) to Europe has brought changes in the municipality in southwestern China, not only facilitating international trade but also improving people's livelihood here in Chongqing.

The first China Railway Express to Europe, previously known as Yuxinou or the Chongqing-Xinjiang-Europe International Railway, commenced operation in March 2011, from  Chongqing China to Duisburg in Germany.

Previously, goods in the inland areas of China mainly went through its east coastal areas. The China-Europe freight train from Chongqing shortens the transport time from more than 40 days to about 12 days.

China Railway Express has become an important part of the Belt and Road. Over 50 cities in China offer the fright train service. Over 14,000 cargo trains traveled on this rail service network by the end of March 2019, according to the China Railway Corporation. In the first quarter of 2019, China Railway Express (Chongqing) made 456 trips with a year-on-year increase of 238%, according to Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd. It operated five trips per day on average.

The freight train from Chongqing to Europe altogether made over 3,000 trips over the past two years. It has taken the lead in achieving international two-way post delivery. Moreover, cargoes transported by the train include automobiles and daily items.

The continuous breakthrough of China Railway Express (Chongqing) to Europe has promoted the pace of Chongqing's opening to the outside world. Chongqing is one its way to building itself into an inland international trade logistics hub and a pioneer of opening-up in hinterland China.

As the goal set by Beijing, Chongqing will act as a major driver in boosting the development of China's western region in the new era, playing a leading role in promoting the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and becoming a model in advancing green development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.