Second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum Announces 111 Cooperation Outcomes in Xi'an

Unveiling New Horizons: The Second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum

On November 18, 2025, the city of Xi'an, situated in Northwest China, played host to the Second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum. This key event, centered around the theme “Connecting Asia and Europe for a Shared Future,” aimed to enhance the logistics connectivity between these two significant regions. During this forum, a compelling compilation of 111 pragmatic cooperation outcomes was publicly released, marking a significant leap in international freight transport initiatives.

The forum brought together 145 cooperation partners from 20 different countries and regions. Among these achievements, one specific initiative stood out: a joint venture involving China and five Central Asian nations which aims to bolster cooperation in freight transport linked to the New Silk Road. This move is seen as a necessary step toward creating a robust rail corridor that can facilitate smoother trade routes between Asia and Europe.

Another noteworthy highlight was the introduction of the fourth series of China Railway Express (CRE) trains. The China State Railway Group revealed plans for complete schedules for both domestic and international routes, and excitement was palpable among participants when discussing the addition of seven new routes. Notably, a new connection from Zhengzhou in China to Hamburg in Germany was announced, increasing the total number of routes to 17 and surpassing 1,000 annual trips.

Belarus's representative, Alexey Lyakhnovich, Minister for Transport and Communications, highlighted the remarkable brand evolution of the CRE, stating that it has become synonymous with high quality and efficiency since the first containers were transported via this railway. He expressed confidence in the continuing build-out of the Belt and Road Initiative through CRE and emphasized its growing significance in international trade.

Furthermore, reports shared during the forum indicated that efficient international cooperation and optimized transport organization had led to a near balance in cargo volumes between departures and arrivals via CRE. Guo Zhuxue, Chairman of China Railway, mentioned that the full container rate of the CRE has now achieved 100%. Consequently, freight prices both domestically and internationally have dropped over 40%, resulting in substantial reductions in logistics costs.

Through cooperative endeavors, CRE trains have reportedly completed almost 120,000 trips, forming an expansive international network. This system connects 128 Chinese cities to 232 cities across 26 European nations and over 100 cities in 11 Asian countries. As domestic and international transport ecosystems evolve, the role of initiatives like the China Railway Express becomes increasingly pivotal in fostering global trade connectivity.

In summary, the Second China Railway Express Cooperation Forum successfully demonstrated not only the commitment to improving freight logistics across significant continents but also positioned itself as a cornerstone for future international cooperation. The forum indicates a robust path forward for the evolving landscape of logistics and transportation, promising sustainable and efficient trade routes for years to come.