STORY: China-Europe freight train service enhances connectivity, win-win cooperation
SHOOTING DATE: recent footage
DATELINE: Jan. 5, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:56
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of China-Europe freight train service
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARKUS BANGEN, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport)
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG XIAOLONG, Deputy Director of Marketing & Sales Center of Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd.
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BERND NOCHE, Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany
5. SOUNDBITE 4 (Vietnamese): NGUYEN HOANG ANH, Deputy general manager of Railway Transport and Trade Joint Stock Company of Vietnam Railways

STORYLINE:

Since their inception over 13 years ago, China-Europe freight trains have transported more than 11 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of goods valued at over 420 billion U.S. dollars. 

The service has also evolved into a cornerstone of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), promoting trade and connectivity between Europe and Asia.
SOUNDBITE 1 (English): MARKUS BANGEN, CEO of Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport)
"I think that the train connection between China and Europe is a more than valuable part of the international supply chains already. And it addresses an urgent need for a connection between the central parts of China and, especially, Germany. And that will be a huge step in the future as well."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): ZHANG XIAOLONG, Deputy Director of Marketing & Sales Center of Yuxinou (Chongqing) Logistics Co., Ltd.
"Chongqing, where the first China-Europe freight train set off, has seen incredible growth since the service began in 2011. Over the past 13 years, the total freight volume has skyrocketed by more than 46 times. What started with just electronic products has now expanded to over 10,000 types of goods. As the trains run more efficiently and their network keeps growing, they've become a key player in boosting international cooperation, driving trade and business links, and deepening cultural exchanges."
SOUNDBITE 3 (English): BERND NOCHE, Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany
"It is a very interesting link and, from the worldwide point of view, unique. Now, when we see the railway connection, this is a unique transport because it is faster than the ship but lower-priced than the plane. We have a lot of goods which are suitable to be transported here."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Vietnamese): NGUYEN HOANG ANH, Deputy general manager of Railway Transport and Trade Joint Stock Company of Vietnam Railways
"This (China-Vietnam freight train service) shortens cargo transportation time, simplifies procedures, reduces costs, and promotes trade between China and Vietnam."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)