The network continues to grow. In November, a shipment of electric vehicles made its way from Chengdu, Sichuan province, to Georgia's Tbilisi via rail, sea and road, traversing Kazakhstan and the Caspian Sea region. This new route launched in July runs through the Middle Corridor — a vital trade link across Central Asia and the South Caucasus — providing a reliable alternative to traditional shipping lanes amid geopolitical uncertainties.

For Fan Yuliang, a warehouse manager of AUKLogis GmbH, a German subsidiary of Chinese logistics firm Western Post, the China-Europe freight trains have redefined what's possible. "I thought I'd handled all kinds of cargo, but seeing an entire vehicle loaded into a shipping container still amazed me," he recalled.

By 2023, China-Europe freight trains had transported more than 50,000 types of goods, ranging from Chinese exports like textiles and industrial machinery to European exports such as motorcycles, medical equipment and agricultural produce.

Bangen described the service as a transformative transportation model that replaces traditional shipping routes and unlocks trade opportunities once out of reach.

As freight trains bridge continents, Chinese and European firms are joining forces to shape the future of mobility — this time, on wheels of electric vehicles.

In Berlin, Chinese EV manufacturer NIO has established a research and development center focused on smart driving technologies and energy solutions. Its engineers are working on adaptive driving systems, battery-swapping infrastructure and integrated power grids to meet European standards.

"Our goal is to adapt rapidly to European markets while driving the next wave of innovation," Wei Hezeng, head of NIO Europe's Smart Driving Technology Center, told Xinhua News Agency.

His vision is echoed by Patrick Stumfol, senior system engineer at NIO Europe. "The combination of German engineering precision and Chinese tech innovation creates a very dynamic environment here," Stumfol said.

Though the EU seeks to shield its market with protectionist tariffs, European carmakers are opting for collaboration over confrontation.

The collaborative momentum extends beyond Berlin. In Spain, Chery has teamed up with Ebro to develop EVs, while BYD is building manufacturing plants in Hungary. European automakers are embracing the trend likewise — Volkswagen has invested $700 million in XPeng for joint EV development, and Stellantis committed 1.5 billion euros ($1.56 billion) to Leapmotor for research, production and overseas expansion.

Carlos Tavares, Stellantis' former CEO, captured this partnership approach, saying the best way to compete with China is to partner with their automakers and "hop on their train".

Xinhua