A China-Europe freight train, loaded with goods valued at 15 million yuan ($2.06 million) commenced its journey from Jinan, capital of Shandong province, on Wednesday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

　　On the first day of 2025, Shandong province gave a significant push to the development of foreign trade by initiating a China-Europe freight train, international flights and a cargo shipment destined for overseas markets.

　　The China-Europe freight train, loaded with 15 million yuan ($2.06 million) worth of goods such as coiled steel, machinery equipment and tires, commenced its journey from Jinan, capital of Shandong, on Wednesday.

　　“The train is expected to arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan in seven days,“ said Zhang Yangjin, deputy general manager of Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co Ltd.

　　The group, overseeing the coordination of the Shandong China-Europe freight train service, has been actively integrating the service with cross-border e-commerce and trade logistics networks to enhance the efficiency of freight train operations, he said.

　　The China-Europe freight train service, a calling card of the Belt and Road Initiative, has played a pivotal role in boosting global trade dynamics and fostering stronger connections between China as well as Asian and European nations.

　　Last year, a total of 2,727 China-Europe freight trains departed from Shandong, a year-on-year increase of 6.3 percent, said China Railway Jinan Group Co Ltd.

　　On the same day, an international flight carrying 9.4 metric tons of goods, including electronic products and cross-border e-commerce parcels, took off from Yantai and landed in Osaka, Japan.