China-Europe rail freight reaches 50,000-train milestone amid rising EU-Beijing tensions

On January 29, 2022, China marked more than 50,000 freight train trips between China and Europe since the first Europe-bound train left the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing in 2011. The railway is central to the Belt and Road Initiative, connecting China to 180 cities in 23 European countries. The freight trade and transport are thriving despite diplomatic tensions between the two sides. Several European countries have joined a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, while China is also embroiled in a trade and diplomatic row with Lithuania over Taiwan.