Joint work team to deepen cooperation for China-Europe cargo train services

More than 70 representatives from seven countries met Tuesday to discuss details of a joint work team to deepen cooperation on China-Europe cargo train services.

Railway authorities from China, Belarus, Germany, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Poland and Russia are attending the first meeting of the joint work team in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan Province.

The team was established in April, when the seven parties signed an agreement to push for railway line interconnectivity, services, and customs clearance efficiency.

During the three-day meeting, representatives will discuss topics such as establishing the work rule for the joint work team, a plan for the next year, time and place for the team's next meeting and procedures for new member enrollment, according to China Railway Corporation.

The China-Europe freight train service was launched in 2011 and has grown rapidly. It has become an important part of the Belt and Road Initiative.

To date, more than 5,000 cargo trains have traveled on 57 lines. Initially seen as an efficient way to deliver Chinese goods to the marketplace, more than 50 percent of the trains have now returned from Europe fully loaded.