A Yixin'ou freight train laden with artworks bound for France departs from Yiwu on March 1. [Photo/zgyww.cn]

A Yixin'ou (Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe) freight train departed from Yiwu on March 1, carrying precious Chinese artworks to Paris for a significant cultural exchange.

The train, loaded with paintings and ceramics, will arrive in 20 days after a transfer in Duisburg, Germany. These pieces, by esteemed artist Chen Jialing, include traditional Chinese paintings and ceramics crafted in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi province.

2024 marks the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic ties, and the Shanghai International Culture Association is celebrating with an exhibition in Paris from April 1 to 22. The event, Chen Jialing: Waterside Ink, will display 41 artworks.

This meticulous planning underlines the importance of the cultural artifacts and the deepening trade relations between China and France, which have seen an 800-fold increase in trade over the past six decades.

Yiwu's role as a global trading hub is further highlighted by the diversity of its exports to France, including 2.1 million types of goods, and imports of French wine and cosmetics. The city's trade with France grew by 12.7 percent in 2023 to 4.69 billion yuan ($651.46 million), reflecting its growing international significance.