Second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum Achieves Landmark Results in Xi'an

Major Outcomes from the Second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum

The second edition of the China Railway Express (CRE) Cooperation Forum took place on November 18, 2025, in Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi Province, China. Under the theme "Connecting Asia and Europe for a Shared Future," this forum showcased over 100 pragmatic results from international cooperation. These outputs involved 145 cooperative entities from 20 countries and regions, focusing on enhancing transport efficiency, governance, and innovative development within the expanding railway network.

Key Highlights of the Forum

Among the significant outcomes, a notable initiative was launched between China and five Central Asian countries to enhance freight train collaboration along the CRE routes connecting to Europe. This initiative is set to revolutionize logistics, providing new opportunities for trade relations. Furthermore, the forum unveiled the fourth batch of CRE trains, which drew considerable attention due to their national and international schedules. New routes were introduced, expanding connectivity options; for instance, a new line from Zhengzhou, China, to Hamburg, Germany, among others. These additions raised the total number of routes to 17, with over 1,000 annual trips anticipated.

Enhancing Quality and Efficiency

The Belarusian Minister of Transport and Communications, Alexey Lyakhnovich, remarked on the significance of the CRE brand, which has become synonymous with quality and efficiency in global trade. Since the initial introduction of CRE shipping, Belarus has actively participated in the Belt and Road cooperation, affirming the essential role of these rail lines in augmenting trade opportunities.

Notably, Guo Zhuxue, Chairman of China Railway’s Board of Directors, highlighted that international collaboration and optimized transport organization have led to nearly balanced freight volumes in both ways on the CRE routes. The achievement of a 100% rate for fully loaded containers and a reduction of over 40% in freight costs demonstrates the enhanced efficiency of CRE operations.

A Vast International Transport Network

To date, CRE trains have completed nearly 120,000 journeys, creating an expansive international transport network. This network connects 128 Chinese cities with 232 cities across 26 European countries, as well as over 100 cities in 11 Asian nations. The efforts of multiple stakeholders have facilitated this growth, showcasing the potential of rail transport in fostering international trade.

As the second CRE Cooperation Forum concluded, it underscored the future potential of enhanced connectivity between Asia and Europe through railways, promising a new era of trade that is both effective and sustainable.

Conclusion

The outcomes from the Second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum in Xi'an reflect a pivotal shift towards more efficient and collaborative global trade practices. The focus on innovative transport routes and international cooperation indicates a promising future for rail freight logistics, enabling countries to strengthen their economic ties while significantly reducing operational costs and enhancing supply chain efficiency.