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Senior Chinese officials on Friday met with the new UK foreign secretary David Lammy in Beijing, with both sides underscoring the willingness to promote pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation, which analysts viewed as a window for repairing and improving relations despite uncertainties. 

Lammy's visit, from October 18 to 19, is the first to China by a UK Cabinet minister under the new Labour government. 

During his stop in Beijing, Lammy met with Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Friday. 

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that China is ready to work with the UK to further develop a more stable and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective and promote the upgrading of pragmatic cooperation in various fields, thus better benefiting the two countries and the two peoples and injecting more momentum into world peace and prosperity.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, held talks with Lammy on Friday as well. 

Wang said that China agrees to fully resume dialogue and cooperation mechanisms in various fields and actively carry out mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, finance, green development, science and technology, health, education and people-to-people exchanges.

Wang said major power competition should not be the backdrop of this era, and China is ready to work with the UK to take openness and cooperation as the main theme, deepen strategic communication, promote practical cooperation and push China-UK relations into a new stage of stable development. 

For his part, Lammy mentioned that the UK looks forward to strengthening exchanges and dialogue with China at the top and other levels, expand cooperation in areas such as climate, energy, science, trade and tech.

He noted that the British government is committed to effectively managing differences with China in a coherent, mutually respectful manner that serves the long-term interests of both sides. And the UK and China share extensive common interests and there should be no "iron curtain" between the two countries.

Lammy said the British side honors its commitments on the Taiwan question made at the time of the establishment of diplomatic relations with China and will continue to do so in the long term.  

Analysts said that despite Lammy's visit is not enough to mark a full-scale warming of China-UK relations, it could be a preliminary and vital step toward normalization and reviving of ties. 

Given the lukewarm or even frosty ties in the past few years, it's unrealistic to expect very concrete or groundbreaking results from Lammy's visit, Cui Hongjian, a professor at the Academy of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University, told the Global Times.

However, during this visit, China and the UK have made further progress in restarting the dialogue mechanism, committing to implement the important understandings reached between the leaders of the two countries during their phone call in August, and strengthening economic and trade ties, which will play a positive role in reviving bilateral relations, Cui noted. 

According to the official release, Lammy is expected to meet with British business leaders in Shanghai to discuss how economic links with China support growth in the UK, after meeting with senior Chinese officials in Beijing.

"The UK is to take a stable, consistent and pragmatic approach to China, with engagement vital between two global players," said a UK foreign office press release ahead of Lammy and Wang Yi's meeting on Friday.

While the visit is expected rebuild mutual trust and strengthen communication, there is still uncertainty about how dynamic and sustainable Keir Starmer's administration's "pragmatic approach to" China will be, said Cui. 

Enough political wisdom is currently required for the Starmer administration to maintain a balance among domestic political forces, and they also need courage to reform and avoid "backing down" on the cooperation and engagement stance due to the negative public opinion atmosphere in the UK toward China, Cui said.

Sam Hou Fai wins enough votes for Macao SAR Chief Executive designate.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has extended greetings to the elderly on the eve of the country's Seniors' Day, which falls on Friday this year.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, expressed the hope that the elderly are well provided for, enjoy their lives, and continue their pursuits.

Xi made the remarks in a letter to representatives of seniors who participate in a national voluntary initiative.

Chinese airports have maintained the travel fever since the week-long National Day holidays kicked off, and the visa-free policy, along with frequent flights, continues to boost inbound and outbound travel.

Civil aviation passenger volumes have exceeded 2.2 million trips per day for three consecutive days since the holidays began on October 1, according to data from the Ministry of Transport.

Beijing Daxing International Airport is expected to handle 146,900 inbound and outbound passenger trips on Friday, with over 1 million trips anticipated throughout the holidays, according to airport data. 

The two airports in Shanghai are expected to transport nearly 370,000 passenger trips per day on average, an increase of 14.4 percent compared to the same period last year. 

The travel boom is not limited to first-tier cities. During the National Day holidays, the number of inbound and outbound passengers at Harbin Taiping International Airport is expected to reach 14,000, with the number of inbound and outbound passenger flights totaling 100, an increase of 41.9 percent and 1.1 percent year-on-year respectively.

Outbound air tickets and hotel bookings for the National Day holidays have spanned 1,597 cities in 144 countries and regions, data from the travel platform qunar.com showed. When examining the cities with the highest number of outbound air ticket orders, it's notable that all of them are within a 5-hour flight radius. The top five cities are Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Osaka.

Hong Kong and Macao remain highly appealing. The Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region estimates that about 10.03 million people will pass through Hong Kong's sea, land and air control points from September 28 to October 7.

Thanks to the 144-hour visa-free policy, inbound tourism has grown rapidly. Traditional domestic tourist cities such as Guangzhou, Xi'an, and Zhangjiajie have continuously added new international routes, attracting a large number of foreign tourists to China. 

The source of inbound tourists to Zhangjiajie, which bears a striking resemblance to the landscapes depicted in James Cameron's film Avatar, located in Central China's Hunan Province, has increased from 133 countries and regions in 2019 to 171 now.

Meanwhile, cruise travel is also playing a significant role in outbound travel. 

Da Wang, a Beijing-based tourist, chose a seven-day cruise tour to the cities of Japan. She told the Global Times on Friday that she was surprised to see at least 40 buses leaving the Fukuoka port in Japan when she disembarked at her first stop on Thursday. Each bus was full of 50 Chinese travelers, and there were many tour guides holding signs waiting for the Chinese tourists, Da said, noting that "it is quite spectacular." 

Experts believe that the booming inbound and outbound tourism reflects the strong pulse of the holiday economy. They assert that this trend will further drive economic development, and as people's demand for travel experiences continues to grow, the future holiday economy is likely to become more diversified and enriched.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China's top economic planner, vowed on Tuesday that it will step up efforts to introduce a package of incremental policies, including an emphasis on scaling up macro counter-cyclical adjustments, boosting domestic consumption, and shoring up capital markets - among others - as part of the efforts to steadily promote economic growth. 

Observers said the remarks, coming on the first working day of the fourth quarter, underscore Chinese policymakers' strong resolve to address economic challenges head-on and to sustain economic recovery in the rest of the year. It also sheds light on the ample policy toolkits the central government has in hand to deal with complex internal and external environments, they noted.

The support adds to a series of pro-growth policies rolled out since late September, which further lifts social expectations and market confidence. A consumption spree was witnessed during the just concluded weeklong National Day holidays in addition to a stock market rally which has lasted for several consecutive days.

Wide-ranging policies

"In response to the new situations and issues in the current economic operation, China will intensify efforts to introduce a package of incremental policies to promote sustained economic recovery and improvement," NDRC head Zheng Shanjie said on Tuesday.

The remarks came at a highly anticipated press conference of the State Council Information Office on Tuesday. In addition to Zheng, other four NDRC deputy heads attended the press conference, which some economists said was a "rare case" and shows that the "incremental policies will take effect on all fronts."  

Zheng in particular highlighted five aspects, including strengthening counter-cyclical adjustments in macroeconomic policies, focusing policies on improving livelihoods and boosting consumption, more support to help businesses facing difficulties, more efforts to stabilize the real estate market, as well as more efforts to shore up capital markets.

"The slew of policies are targeted, not only serving as an effective response to the current emerging economic downward pressure, but they also represent a strategy to achieve China's high-quality development in the long-term," Zhu Keli, founding director of the China Institute of New Economy and executive director of the China Information Industry Association, told the Global Times on Tuesday.

The wide-ranging measures coordinate policy priorities of this year with next year, which also carry great significance for the healthy and sound development of the economy in 2025, as well as the successful delivery of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) targets, Li Qingbin, a research fellow at the Institute of Economic Research under the NDRC, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

On September 26, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held a meeting to analyze the current economic situation of China and make further plans for economic work. The meeting called for effectively implementing existing policies, stepping up efforts to "roll out incremental policies" and further making policy measures more targeted and effective.

"From setting a direction to systematic implementation, we're seeing clear and concerted efforts. Those moves send a resounding signal of Chinese policymakers' determination to stabilize growth and achieve the annual growth target," Tian Yun, a veteran economist based in Beijing, told the Global Times on Tuesday. 

During the press conference, Zheng used two keywords to summarize the status quo of the Chinese economy: "steady" and "progress." He expressed full confidence in China achieving the tasks and the goals set for economic and social development in 2024. 

Rising confidence

According to Tian, a policy introduction on Tuesday, the first working day after the weeklong National Day holidays, plays a vital role in properly guiding social expectations over the prospects of the world's second-largest economy.

China's A-share market experienced another significant surge on Tuesday. The ChiNext Index recorded its largest single-day gain on record, while total trading volume on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges reached 3.45 trillion yuan ($488.9 billion), an increase of 860 billion yuan from the previous trading day, setting a new historical high. 

Alongside the stock market rally, Chinese assets are witnessing increasing fund inflows from foreign investors, while a number of foreign institutions have upgraded their predictions for Chinese stocks. 

Goldman Sachs Group forecasted in early October that gauges tracking China's equities may rise another 15 percent to 20 percent if "authorities deliver on policy measures." Morgan Stanley also forecasted at least another 10 percent stock-market rally in the near term. 

According to Bloomberg, inflows to five US-listed leading ETFs that invest in Chinese stocks received about $4.9 billion in cash in the week ended October 4, the most on record. 

"Recent stimulus policies have put an emphasis on maximizing the synergy effect between different policies, including fiscal, financial, consumption, investment and property ones," Li Qingbin said. Analysts expect the country's top economic planner to play the role of a policy coordinator between different departments. 

According to Zheng, with regard to fiscal policies, China plans to roll out more investment projects, including front-loading 100 billion yuan ($14.2 billion) from next year's central government budget and another 100 billion yuan to be used for key investment projects by the end of this year.

Additionally, the 1 trillion yuan of ultra-long special treasury bonds, which fund major national strategies and support security-capability as well as support large-scale equipment upgrades and trade-in of consumer goods, has been fully allocated to the projects and local governments, Zheng said, noting that China will continue issuing ultra-long special treasury bonds in 2025.

Tian said he expects more policies with "greater strength and intensity" could be rolled out, depending on how the Chinese economy operates in the fourth quarter and the evolving downward pressure. 

During the week-long National Day holiday ending on Monday, China's high-speed railway stations were often bustling with crowds. Some passengers could be seen lined up in an orderly fashion as they prepared to board, while others could be spotted browsing their smartphones or using laptops when waiting for their boarding calls.

The country's railway sector experienced a surge in passenger traffic on Monday as travelers returned home from their holiday destinations.

A total of 13,103 trains were in operation on Monday, including 1,705 additional trains scheduled to meet the significant demand. This marked a historic high for a single day's operational capacity, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd.

China has built the world's largest high-speed railway network to address the people's growing demand for convenient and comfortable travel.

The total operational length of China's high-speed railway network has exceeded 45,000 kilometers, with Fuxing high-speed trains operating across 31 provincial-level regions nationwide.

This growing volume of railway transportation is supported by innovations and high-quality development concerning China's rail transit equipment. Notably, the Fuxing high-speed train project received the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award in June 2024.

CHINESE RAILWAY INNOVATION

Once upon a time, the slow train with its signature green color dominated the travel memories of many Chinese people.

Since the Beijing-Tianjin Intercity Railway, with a design speed of 350 km per hour, entered operation in 2008, a fast-expanding modern high-speed railway network has been operating efficiently in the world's second-largest economy.

Now it takes just over eight hours to travel from Hong Kong in south China to Beijing in the north by high-speed rail, a Canadian passenger with the Xiaohongshu username Lao Han, shared on his social media platform this April, while adding that he enjoyed the different views from south to north during the journey.

Previously, a train connecting the two cities took more than 24 hours to complete a one-way trip.

Such a rail experience is not confined to the Hong Kong-Beijing trip, with many bullet trains running across the country, reaching a maximum speed of 350 kilometers per hour. CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles Co., Ltd in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, one of China's major rail transit equipment enterprises, has long been contributing to the speeding up of the country's railway travel options.

Since the 1990s, China's railway running speed has been repeatedly and significantly increased, with CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles introducing a number of upgraded and innovative products to provide equipment support for these accelerations.

Notably, this company produced China's first subway train and first group of high-speed trains. The country's first aluminum alloy subway train, stainless steel subway train, monorail train, low-floor light rail vehicle, linear electric locomotive and automatic subway train were also manufactured in the factories of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles.

In July 2024, the company introduced a high-speed built-in bogie that can meet the needs of Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) trains at a speed of 400 km per hour.

The high-speed built-in bogie serves as the running system and one of the core components of rail vehicles. "It acts as the legs of an EMU train," explained Zhou Dianmai, a senior engineer of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles. Equipped with such a bogie, a train can run faster and more steadily, while also generating less noise.

Compared with traditional external bogies, the built-in bogie reduces the weight of the train by 20 percent -- which can cut energy consumption by 15 percent during the vehicle's operation, lower wheel-rail wear by about 30 percent, and reduce wheel-rail noise by around two decibels. In addition, maintenance cost during the whole life cycle is slashed by approximately 15 percent. This product is expected to facilitate the green and energy-saving transformation of EMU trains.

At the EMU bogie production line of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, a big data analysis platform features key information, such as management costs and resource consumption. Through the processing of real-time data, this platform can generate product design and management suggestions.

"The big data analysis platform improved the equipment utilization rate by 10 percent and decreased operation and management costs by 10 percent," said Zhu Yan, deputy chief designer of the Fuxing bullet train at CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles. Total average annual costs were reduced by more than 5 million yuan (about 700,830 U.S. dollars).

Through learning from overseas advanced experience and customizing according to China's unique conditions, the company has achieved both key technologies concerning rail transit equipment and capability in terms of R&D and manufacturing of full-range EMU trains.

On March 21, 2024, the world's first city train powered by hydrogen, independently developed by CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles, conducted its maiden speed test run. Previously, such a combination of hydrogen energy and rail transit equipment had not been achieved.

Running at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour at full load, the train consumed only five KWh energy per kilometer, while the data measuring each system confirmed stability during the test.

So far, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles has managed to build nine product platforms with advanced EMU, subway trains and maglev trains, covering R&D capabilities in terms of full-type and full-variety rail transit products.

WELCOME ABOARD CHINESE TRAINS

China's high-speed trains, a successful example of independent innovation, are now regarded as a Chinese "calling card" and are welcomed globally.

Indonesia's Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway (HSR) noted in July 2024 that it had carried 4 million passengers since it began commercial operations on Oct. 17, 2023. Indonesian drivers have successfully operated the trains serving the HSR at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour.

This is the first overseas high-speed railway project fully utilizing Chinese railway systems, technology and industrial components.

The China Academy of Railway Sciences (CARS) has undertaken supervision and consultation concerning this high-speed railway, and has provided support in fields such as on-site quality control, drawing reviews and technical research.

The 142.3-km high-speed railway has shortened the journey between Indonesia's capital, Jakarta, and Bandung, a famous tourist city, to only 40 minutes.

Meanwhile, a landmark project of high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, namely the China-Laos Railway, began operations in December 2021.

"Before the China-Laos Railway opened, it took me two days to travel from Vientiane to Mongla by car," said a Lao passenger. "Now, it takes me about five hours by train, which is very fast and convenient."

Another Chinese-built project, the Belgrade-Novi Sad high-speed railway, has transported nearly 8.8 million people between Serbia's two largest cities since starting operation in 2022.

At the Third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in October 2023, CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles signed a purchase contract with Serbia to introduce China's bullet trains to this country in Eastern Europe.

Based on a mature and reliable technical platform, both design and production of trains are tailored according to local railway conditions and technical specifications.

In recent years, the products of CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles have been exported to 23 countries and regions. The company's export business model currently covers the full life cycle service of vehicles, and it has set up 11 branches and subsidiaries worldwide.

"China's high-speed trains feature high levels of science and technology, strong brand influence and thriving innovation," said Tao Guidong, a scientist of CRRC.

A new exhibition on ancient Chinese clothing was held in German capital Berlin. The exhibition traces the history of Chinese clothing, highlighting how the Confucian core value of “ritual” is expressed in Chinese clothing culture.

Set to run until October 9, this exhibition on ancient Chinese clothing culture is part of the 2024 Confucius international cultural exchange series.

“Chinese clothing culture has evolved over different historical periods, forming a comprehensive system of development. It reflects the transmission of civilization and encapsulates historical moments,” said Sun Qinhang, director of the China Cultural Center in Berlin.

“We hope this exhibition serves as a bridge between the ancient and modern, East and West, fostering exchanges and enhancing mutual understanding between civilizations,” Sun noted.

The exhibition features a special selection of heirloom garments from the Confucius temple back in Qufu, Shandong Province. These ancient Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) outfits, renowned for their vibrant colors, exquisite craftsmanship, and unique designs, vividly showcase the splendor of Ming Dynasty clothing culture, while also deeply reflecting the lasting influence of Confucianism on social life.

During the live clothing display segment, models dressed in traditional Chinese attire brought the elegance of these ancient garments to life. As they gracefully walked through the exhibition hall, guests eagerly took photos with them, capturing the charm and beauty of the ancient clothing.

"This exhibition allows our German friends to experience up close the beauty and intricacy of ancient Chinese garments, as well as the Confucian values embodied in the clothing, enhancing their understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture," said Hua Jingang, the curator of the exhibition.

The opening ceremony also featured interactive activities and a display area for cultural and creative products related to intangible cultural heritage. Visitors could try on ancient Chinese Hanfu clothing and pose for photos and, under the guidance of heritage artisans, learn traditional crafts such as Lu Embroidery, fabric knotting, and rope art.

An opening ceremony for master classes at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts was jointly hosted by Russia's Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and the International Humanitarian Cooperation, or Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts (GITIS), the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles, and the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing on September 18. 

Deputy Head of the Public Diplomacy Department of Rossotrudnichestvo Evgeniy Demin, read a welcoming speech by the Head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Yevgeny Primakov. 

"I am sure that the best professionals will teach you techniques that will undoubtedly be useful in your professional activities," Primakov said, wishing the Chinese trainees new horizons, true creative inspiration, a positive charge of energy, and new friends. 

Ma Xinming, executive vice chairman of the Beijing Federation of Literary and Art Circles, said that, as China's cultural center, Beijing has been committed to building a platform for international cultural exchanges through promoting mutual learning between civilizations. 

"Through in-depth study and discussion of the essence of Russian drama art, this program [of master classes] aims to broaden our artistic horizons and enhance the professional quality and innovation capability of players in [the] literary and art [fields] in the capital city," Ma said. 

Tatiana Urzhumtseva, director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing, said that Russian dramaturgy played a significant role in the development of Chinese modern theatre. "Understanding Russian classical dramaturgy in China and Chinese culture, the theatrical art of China in Russia contributes to the development and mutual enrichment of the theatrical systems of our countries," she said. 

The GITIS, a Russian higher education institution, is the largest theatre university and one of the largest in the world. It is the only higher education institution in Russia at which students receive education in all theater specialties and levels of training in eight faculties. The master classes run until September 21. 

Some 40 foreign diplomats from 25 countries will go on a tour to Southwest China's Guizhou Province from Thursday to Sunday and play a friendly soccer game with a local team from the Village Super League (VSL), or Cunchao, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. 

Organized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT), the 2024 Discover China Cultural Tour of Guizhou for Diplomats event will take envoys from Latin American and Caribbean countries to visit the signature Jiaxiu Tower in Guiyang and ethnic Dong villages in Rongjiang county to explore the region's cultural and architectural heritage. 

One of the highlights of this tour will be the friendly game between the diplomats and a local team from the VSL that will kick off on Saturday evening in Rongjiang. 

An international cultural and tourism fair will also be held alongside the match to showcase the integration of culture, tourism, sports, and local economies. 

The tour is designed to emphasize the role of diplomats as cultural ambassadors, promoting exchanges and friendships, according to the MCT.

Through this event, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the beauty and richness of China, which they can then share with the world, an official with the MCT told the reporters. 

Rongjiang county has achieved significant progress in its rural revitalization efforts and economic development by integrating agriculture, culture, tourism, sports, and commerce through the phenomenal VSL. 

This unique soccer+culture showpiece attracted 7.66 million visitors in 2023, generating a total tourism revenue of 8.4 billion yuan ($1.19 billion), the China Culture Daily reported on Monday. This event emphasizes the role of diplomats in fostering cultural exchanges and building stronger bridges of friendship.

Marcelo Gabriel Suarez Salvia, Argentine ambassador to China, told reporters earlier that the tour could help foreign diplomats stationed in China to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of China's cultural heritage and economic strengths, enhancing opportunities for long-term partnerships between China and other countries.

This engagement fosters mutual appreciation and opens doors for future collaborations in various sectors, including trade, tourism, and more. The fusion of culture, tourism, sports, and agriculture in this trip not only showcases Guizhou's unique natural charm but also paves the way for partnerships and shared learning experiences, said the ambassador.  

Hector Dorbecker, a counselor at the Mexican Embassy in China, said that Mexico and China have already established cooperation in various fields, and he hopes to see further tourism collaboration between the two countries in the future.

"Soccer serves as a bridge for fostering friendship between people of different countries. I believe this event will offer me a more comprehensive understanding of China's culture, tourism, and sports resources," said Dorbecker.

Launched by the MCT in 2021, the program has taken more than 350 diplomats from over 90 countries to 16 provinces and cities across China, including Beijing, Chongqing, Hubei, and Yunnan, allowing them to experience local customs, appreciate China's rich cultural heritage, and observe the country's developments up close.

Thirteen years since the China-Europe Railway Express (CRE), a crucial link in international logistics, began operations in Duisburg, the German city's profile as a key hub on the railway has been steadily rising.

During a recent visit by Xinhua reporters, bustling terminals, ports, and warehouses in Duisburg highlighted the city's growing vitality. The CRE has significantly impacted the local business community.

At one of Duisburg's central logistics centers, AUKLogis GmbH, a German subsidiary of the Chinese logistics company Western Post, provides storage and customs clearance services for clients using CRE services. The company has witnessed a shift in local traders' perceptions of the service, from initial skepticism to recognition, resulting in long-term partnerships.

"Our clients often highlight the railway's speed and reliability, which are unmatched by other freight methods," said Fan Yuliang, warehouse manager of AUKLogis GmbH. As the routes expand and improve, trust in the service has continued to grow.

Daniele Materazzo, an operator in the outbound group for China-Europe Railway Express at AUKLogis, told Xinhua that he now receives better pay and feels a sense of stability working with the company. "Despite our language and cultural differences, we support each other as a team. I feel completely at home here," he said.

Markus Bangen, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport), noted that the railway is strengthening ties between Europe and China, opening up a new international transport market that benefits both economies. Duisburg's profile is steadily growing as a key stop on the railway, attracting investment, creating job opportunities, and driving growth in the logistics sector, he added.

In August, a direct route from Chongqing to Duisburg, traversing the Caspian Sea, was put into operation. The route provides a new option for transportation along the so-called Middle Corridor, a trade link between China and Europe that passes through several central Asian and southern Caucasian countries.

Bangen said that since the participants facilitating the Middle Corridor are familiar with CRE operations, the experience gained over the past decade will significantly accelerate the corridor's development.

While enabling faster and more cost-effective delivery of goods from China to Europe, CRE has also opened new trade pathways for European manufacturers and traders aiming to enter the Chinese market, Chinese Consul General in Dusseldorf Du Chunguo told Xinhua. "This exchange has significantly improved consumer welfare and created jobs along the route."