The first China-bound cargo¹ train carrying British products left London on Monday for an eastern Chinese city, highlighting another historic moment in the China-initiated Belt and Road Initiative.

 

本周一，首列开往中国东部某市的货运列车满载英国商品驶离伦敦，凸显由中国发起的一带一路精神的另一个历史性时刻。
 

 

The cross-continent freight, loaded with 32 containers carrying products including milk powder and soft drinks, left from east London's DP World gateway² for the Chinese city of Yiwu amid cheers and applause.

 

The front of the red locomotive was seen with a sign board that reads "First London-Yiwu Train."

 

The 12,000-km journey will pass through nine countries in 18 days. During the trip, the train's locomotives have to be changed due to different railway gauges³ in the countries.

 

Ma Hui, a senior official with the Chinese embassy in Britain, said the direct freight train service is "very meaningful and important" against the backdrop of slowing world trade and the rise of protectionism. 

 

"The service injects fresh impetus⁴ into the joint⁵ efforts by China and UK in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative," he said. "The train carries not only goods, but also the bilateral⁶ confidence to score a win-win."

 

Rupert Soames, British prime minister's business ambassador for infrastructure⁷ and transport, said at the launching ceremony of the event, which he dubbed⁸ "historic", that such a rail service helped provide jobs to his country.

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