A China-Europe cargo train departed from the Yaohuamen warehouse in Nanjing on May 10 on its first journey to Tilburg in the Netherlands.

Ma Xin, deputy governor of Jiangsu and Wim Geerts, ambassador of the Netherlands to China, attended the launch ceremony. Tan Jian, Chinese ambassador to the Netherlands, sent his congratulations via video.

Ma said that the China-European freight train started in 2012 in Jiangsu and has now linked with more than 50 cities in 23 countries. As China and the Netherlands are partners in the Belt and Road initiative, the regular cargo train service shows the closer connection between North Brabant in the south of the Netherlands and Jiangsu, and will also play a positive and far-reaching role in deepening bilateral ties.

It’s hoped that both sides will make efforts to ensure the success of the new channel of international freight transport, use it as an effective carrier for friendship and cooperation, and facilitate the progress in pursuing high-quality development, said Ma.

Wim Geerts said the Netherlands is an international logistics hub and the second largest exporter in the EU to China. Jiangsu is a key partner of North Brabant so this new cargo train service will strengthen the friendly relations and inject strong impetus into trade cooperation between the two countries.

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