The 400th China-Europe freight train departs from the Yiwu Railway Port on July 31. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

A total of 400 freight trains had operated between Yiwu, East China's Zhejiang province, and Europe from Jan 1 to July 31, 2020.

The 400th freight train, carrying 100 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of daily necessities and epidemic prevention materials, departed from the Yiwu Railway Port for Madrid, Spain.

It was the 56th operation of the Yiwu-Madrid freight service, which made its maiden journey in 2014.

The service is becoming increasingly popular as shipping companies and airlines have suspended or restricted commercial operations due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

From January to July, Yiwu saw 400 freight trains to Europe, up 211.1 percent year on year.

China-Europe freight trains departing from Yiwu currently connect to five cities in eastern China and 37 countries in Europe, including Spain, Denmark, Switzerland, and France, delivering 2,000 tons of mail.