A freight train carrying 88 containers of small commodities such as clothing, fabric and bags departed Yiwu, Zhejiang province on Jan. 1, 2017. It will travel 12,000 kilometers through Kazakhstan, Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, Belgium and France. After crossing the English Channel, it will arrive at Barking Station in London.

The train's journey was jointly organized by the government of Yiwu, China Railway Corporation and other local companies. The freight train will strengthen inter-connectivity with western Europe, promote China-Britain trade, and better serve the Belt and Road Initiative.