A China-Europe freight train loaded with COVID-19 self-testing kits departs from Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on April 21. [Photo/Xiamen Daily]
A China-Europe freight train loaded with COVID-19 self-testing kits worth more than $45 million departed from Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on April 21, heading to Duisburg, Germany.
It was the first China-Europe freight train especially launched for transporting anti-COVID-19 epidemic supplies.
Chen Luchao, manager of the local operator of China-Europe freight trains, said that the China-Europe freight service in Xiamen has become a vital logistics channel for ensuring Sino-European trade exchanges and cooperation since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Statistics show that the trains had transported 466 containers of anti-COVID-19 epidemic supplies from Xiamen to European countries, such as Poland, Germany, and Russia, from February 2020 to April 21 this year, with the combined amount valued at more than $80 million.
Officials said that the city's relevant departments involving transport, customs, and railways have worked to ensure the stable operation of the China-Europe freight service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Special work teams have been established and tailored solutions have been offered. For this train, it took less than a week from the application for the train to the loading of goods.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
