The number of China Railway Express (Xi'an) services in 2026 has already exceeded 4,000, hitting this milestone nearly one week earlier than the same period last year and representing a 3 percent year‑on‑year increase.

As China's core assembly center for the China Railway Express (CRE), Xi'an has led the country for eight consecutive years in key metrics, including freight volume and loaded container rate.

On average, one train departs from or arrives at Xi'an every 80 minutes. Utilizing its diversified corridor network, the service delivers Chinese products across the globe while bringing premium global goods into the domestic market, generating momentum for the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.

A CRE train departs from Xi'an. [Photo/Xi'an news network]

An efficient logistics landscape hinges on a matrix of diverse and complementary international transport corridors. Building on the stable operation of conventional routes, the trans-Caspian multimodal southern corridor integrates multiple transport models, including railways and Caspian Sea ferry services. Reaching the Caucasus, the Black Sea, the Mediterranean coast, and inland Europe, it offers more diversified routing options for CRE services.

More than 600 trains have traversed the southern corridor since the start of this year, marking an 82 percent year‑on‑year surge. Over half of these trains originate from Xi'an, marking the city as the corridor's primary hub. Infrastructure and industrial equipment, including metals, electrical components, and machinery products, travel between Asia and Europe via this route.

New‑energy vehicles have also emerged as star cargo for the CRE. In August, complete Xpeng vehicles were shipped in batches to Europe via the CRE. To date, CRE has served more than 40 manufacturers, including BYD, Geely, and Chery.

The range of goods carried by the express has now expanded to over 200 categories across nine major groups, with value‑added commodities such as lithium-ion batteries, auto parts, and home appliances continuing to flow out to global markets.

Return trips of the CRE (Xi'an) accounted for 55.9 percent from January to July. Using Xi'an's 26 domestic distribution routes, inbound overseas cargo is received at Xi'an International Port Station for consolidation and sorting. The goods are then delivered to markets across China through domestic railway, highway, and rail‑water intermodal networks.

Xi'an will continue to accelerate the development of the CRE Xi'an Logistic Hub and improve its two-way transport services, contributing to the city's inland reform and opening-up and the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative.