China-EU rail links prove vital

中欧班列继续强劲增长

China-Europe rail freight services hit a record high last month, helping maintain the global supply chain amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the country's top railway operator said on Wednesday.

中国国家铁路集团有限公司9月9日表示，8月份中欧班列开行列数创历史新高，成为新冠肺炎疫情期间全球供应链的“守护者”。

The number of freight trips between the two destinations hit a record 1,247 last month - up 62% year-on-year - China State Railway Group said. The trains carried 113,000 standard-sized shipping containers, up 66% year-on-year.

8月中欧班列累计开行1247列、发送货物11.3万标箱，同比分别增长62%、66%，再创新高。

Proactive measures have been adopted to ease the mounting pressure on port transportation capacity due to surging demand for China-Europe rail freight services, the company said, adding that online services offered by e-commerce website 95306.cn have enhanced port clearance efficiency.

国铁集团表示，集团针对班列开行需求大幅增长导致口岸运输能力日益紧张的状况，采取了积极主动的疏运措施；运用电子商务平台95306.cn提供线上服务，提高了口岸通关效率。

It said it has stringently implemented regular epidemic prevention and control measures and engaged in regular video consultations with countries along the rail routes to ensure their smooth and safe operation.

严格落实疫情防控常态化措施，与沿线各国铁路定期召开视频协商会议，确保中欧班列安全畅通。