A view of a China-Europe freight train running on the rails. [Photo/WeChat account: chineserailways]

Over the past decade, a total of 77,000 China-Europe freight trains have been dispatched, transporting 7.31 million standard containers with a cargo value exceeding $340 billion. The trains have gone to 217 cities in 25 European countries, becoming an important bridge for international economic and trade cooperation, according to statistics.

Recently, the China-Europe Railway Express Cooperation Forum was held in Lianyungang in Jiangsu Province, entitled "Deepening Connectivity and Promoting Win-Win Cooperation". 

The following suggestions were proposed to optimize the China-Europe freight trains:

1. Deepen economic and trade cooperation with countries along the route to expand cooperation. Promote major infrastructure construction, improve the level of connectivity, and promote the diversified development of the China-Europe freight trains. 

2. Strengthen the guidance of service standards and the management of brand quality to further boost the competitiveness of China-Europe freight trains in the international market.

3. Accelerate the improvement of the inter-governmental cooperation mechanism for the China-Europe freight trains. Strengthen communication and consultation in policy formulation, facilitation of customs clearance, transportation organization, and safety guarantee to promote the construction of the international cooperation network.

4. Enhance the quality of development of China-Europe freight trains. Strengthen market integration, planning integration, platform integration, and project integration to fully leverage the role of China-Europe freight trains in promoting economic and social development. 

5. Encourage China-Europe freight trains to develop in a coordinated and integrated way with industries such as manufacturing, commerce, finance, and information, and share in the development opportunities of the China-Europe freight trains with countries along the route.